Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-12-26

time province virtually ever since
japanese troops, in conjunction with
other allied forces, occupied VladivostoK
Other governments withdrew their
troops, but Japan's remained. Then
came the massacre of NikOlaieysk, in tie
spring of 1920 with its preteXt for
occupation of the northern half OF
Sa ghalin and the northern extremity of
the maritime province on the mainland,
in the south Of which Nladivostok stands
Altogether $1,000 japanese troops, it is
declared by Russian authorities, stand
today on Siberian soil. They are
scattered at half a dozen garrisons
strategicaly situated as to yield, it is
alleged, a complete authority over the
whole maritime province. In Northern
Saghalin are rich though undeyeloped
mines of coal and gold. Adjacent TO
NikoIaievsk are Important fisheries, with
their supply II one OF the bitterly needed
food staple, OF the fast-multiplyins
Japanese population.
Japanese spokesman in Washington
already have made statements about
Siberia. They say Japan is willing to
get out: that she is ready to go as soon
as stable government is established,
guaranteeing safety to japanese life and
property; that she negotiated all sum
mer and autumn with the Far Eastern
republic to that end that all Japan
seeks in Siberia is trade opportunity"
commensurate with existing Jaapnese in
terests; that neither annexation nor
anything savoring Of protectorate there
is sought. The Russian retort IL is
mainly the presence Of japanese soldiery
ov1rawing the Russian population and
assuming political domination Of the
territory, that stands in the way OF re
establishment Of stable government.
JAP SOLDIERS
OYERAWES RUSSIANS.
Russians make a significant rejoinder
to the japanese contention that northern
Saghalin was seized as a reprisal for
the Nikolaleysk massacre II is pointed
out that the japanese We're in military
occupation Of the Nikolaievsk district
when the massacre occurred and ahd
themselves therefore assumed response
biIitv for maintenance Of law and order
in the area The slaughter was not ef.
fecred by local Russians nor even by
Bolshevist detachments. 1t was the work
Of robber bands, consisting Of Rus
sian outlaws. magyars and Chinese. To-
ge-her with the 100 japanese massacred-
more than 1000 peaceful. defenseless
Russians persisted. Nikolaievsk, itself
was wiped out As it was for the Jap
anese to take timely and suitable meas
ures to prevent the massacre, the Rus
SLAMS consider compensation" should
come from. not be given TO. Japan. which
was in control of Nikolalevsk at the
time
Americans VIII realize the Importance OF
the Russian territory now under Japan
csc control when reminded 10 totals an
area Of 71400 square miles which is
larger than Pennsylvania. New Jersey,
Delaware and Maryland combined. and
considerably more extensive than all the
New England states. The question in
votved ia Siberi8's evacuation concerns
It's ircalculabIe strategic possibilities. II
all SagL3lin and the maritime province
were 20 remain under Japau's control.
that country would cut of siberia from
the Pacific ms efectually as If the oceans
waves did not lap RUs>ia's far eastern
shores nj all She would not only con
-rol the railway approaches % the sea-
board, thus cutting of not only the
land gateway 10 ocean. but would also
hold Improbable naval bases at Nikol-
aievsw and VladiSVcstOk. which would
enable her ro dominate the approaches
ty water. From every angle military,
naval political economical and moral.
The United States regards it ~ para
mount Importance 10 deprive Japan of
the preferential position she now holds
i1 Siberia II she claims If is based on
rights" &c viii have 100 i1disputahlv eos.
tabllshed before they are recognized by
the American delegation. The confer
. ence is on the eye nf one Of its decisive
struggles Copyright, 1921 By Public
Ledger Company