The Washington times., 1925-08-20
JAPS FEAR WAR
WITH RUSSIA
IN 10 YEARS
Count Soyejima, Statesman
and Publisher, Sees Con-
fIict Over Manchuria
By LUTHER A. HUSTON.
international News Service.

TOKYO, Aug. 90. Japan's bat
tIeground in the next war will not
be the Pacific Ocean, but the broad
plains of Manchuria, and her enemy
win be, not the United States, but
Russia. If the prediction Of Count
Michimasa Soyejima comes true.
Conflict between Japan and Russia
IL inevitable. Count Soyejima be-
Iieyes, and will come within the
next ten years
Coming 30 close upon the con.
clusion of the treaty re-establishinE
diplomatic relations between Japan
and the Soviet, Count Soyejtma' 3
predictions have created more than
a ripple Of interest In government
and diplomatic circles here.
To Give Lectures.
Count Sbyejina, VINO is d mem.
Der of the House of Peers and
publisher Of important newspapers
in Korea, is soon to leave Tor the
United States to lecture at the in
ternationaI round table conference
which opens at the University Of
Chicago on June so.
War between America and Japan
on the Pacific" Count Soyejina de-
clared, sis physically impossible on
account of the great distance that
separates the two countries, even
Il there were cause for war. But
the interests OF japan and Russia
In Manchuria are opposed In 30
many respects that conflict Is in
evitable.
Russians Unreliable.
Japan made big mistake in
extending recognition to the Soviet
government. The history Nof the
Soviet diplomats shows that they
cannot be depended upon 70 kesp
their word. They are spreading
Communist propaganda in Japan
and in Korea, just as they have
been doing in China.
Blinded by their resentment
against Japan because Of mistakes
this nation has made in the past,
the Chinese do not realize tina.
Japan IL their best friend and that,
but for Japan. China would have
been disrupted long ago. In the
event OF q war between Russia
and Japan, China might even be
blind enough TO assist Russia.
Wants Alliance.
The best guarantee OF peace In
China, and thus on the Pacific,
Count SbyejImas believes; is close
sIIinnce between Japan, England
and the United States In Joint con
troll OF china until that nation =
capable Of taking care Of herself.
The eItHaff0n In Manchut7as which
Count Snye5i1pa predicts viii de.
yelcnSeventualiy into armed conflict,
revolVes around the struggle oe.
tween IHpau and Russia -Aof. econo'
mic -lys5oisfFol OF ManchnEias e re-
souresa RaSica1Iy IT is not greatly
different from the situation that
brought on the Russo-J apanese war
twenty years ago. s4.,.--.s 4. q.
s---- saIr6ads InHOICed..-
At.2the-present tins the outstand.
ing factor In the situation il the
question of railroads. Japan holds
the South Manchuria Railroad run.
ming from Changchun to Dairen.
The Russians control the Chinese
Eastern Railway. traversing north.
ern ManchuPia from the border or
European Russia to the Aslatic
Russian port of Vladivostok.
An added complication has re-
suited from the proposal OF the
japanese to construct certain
tributary and connecting slines in
the territory served by the South
Manchuria road.
Would Give Japs Hold.
b II the lines proposed are built
Japan would have a stranglehold
upon the traffic Of wide area
within which the Chinese Eastern
Railway Is now able to compete.
Russia is strongly opposing con-
struction of these lines and is
bringing pressure to bear upon
Chang Tso.lin, the Manchurian war
lord, to induce hin to refuse to
allow the Japanese to build them.