The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-10-13
JAPAN'S OCCUPATION OF
SIBERIA PERILS PEACE
By Herbert Quick.

WASHINGTON oct. 12.-In some
respects Japan is magnificently en-
dowed. not only for legitimate, but for
illegitimate development
She has an industrious, a teach
able, an intelligent population, and she
has developed high civilization of
her own. on which she has engrafted
the civilization of the western world.
She has productive soil, scanty
in area for her prolific people. Her
greatest enemy is her high birthrate.
But her geographical position is the
most wonderful on earth Look at
the map. Japan lies, great semi
circle of islands, hemming the Sea of
Japan In like a barbed-wire fence;
and this sea measured from north
to south is twice as long as the long
est diameter of the Gulf of Mexico.
All the western coast OF the Pa
|cific from the lands OF ice to the lat
titude of Cuba fronts seward on
Japanese possessions.
do not know Of any nation cap
able of making better use of these
advantages than Japan, better use
for her own benefit and that Of the
world. But she must not feel hurt
in her pride if the rest of the world
would like to- know how she means
to use it.
For she can use it for good or for
general harm; legitimately or illegiti
mately; for peace or for war; for
the warIof commercial and industrial
aggression; for the wars Of armies or
navies.
Japan in Siberia.
And this brings US to another great
question which I feel sure must be
settled in the Disarmament Confer
ence-Japan's occupation of Eastern
Siberia
When the allies decided to enter ST.
IBERIA from the east during the late
war; the United States sent in some
1900 troops.
Japan surprised everyone by send
ing in large ARMY have heard it
estimated at $4,000 men. 1 have seen
heavy masses of troops under arms
in the one town of Vladivostok-l
many more than we sent in ALL
1t looked to the world like a per-
manent occupation. The Japanese
were one. They are there yet. though
we took all our men out in the spring
of 1920.
Let us be just to Japan. She has
always denied that such is her inten-
ton.
important Move.
If she does seek to annex the north
eastern corner of Asia, 1t is a momen-
tous thing for the rest Of the world
For Siberia is twice as large as the
United States. 1t has in it several
Canadas, many northern Wisconsins
and northern Minnesotas. 1t is won
cerfully rich in coal, iron, zinc, cop
per. gems. furs, timber. oil and graz
ing and farming land.
The japanese and Chinese have
lived near it for thousands OF years
and have not tried to occupy or de-
velop it.
They will not migrate to lands so
cold and inclement; but 1t is perfect
" fitted for Russians. ScandinAvians,
and all of the peoples OF northern
Europe and for Americans and Cana
dams. There are several millions IF
white people living prosperous lives
there now, so far as they can prosper
in these times.
This coast is blanketed BY Japan.
# she also occupies ii. she viii have
planted herself across the. pathway,
from their homes to the sea, Of the
millions Of whites who viii people
Siberia.
The Russians VIII come back. They
win fight Japan eventually If they
must, to reach the sea; and they win
fight with the north wind at their
backs-and so fighting. they win win. |
But the peace Of the world win be
disturbed.
give Japan the opportunity. which
am sure she win welcome, to show |
her critics that they have done her
an injustice.