Evening star., 1945-08-09
Russian Intentions
Long Known to u. S.
Writer Says Time Of War Entry
Was Not Settled Until Recently

~
Writer Says Time Of War Entry
Was Not Settled Until Recently
By DSvil Laurence
The United states Government has
known for . long time that Russia
planned to enter the war against Japan.
As early ~ the Moscow and Teheran
Conferences in 1913, there was no doubt
that when Germany was beaten the
Russian government wished to do its
part In punishing the aggression Of the
Japanese. Secretary Hull came back
home in October, 1s43, with what was
tantamount to an assurance Of eventual
entry into the war against Japan.
Although the Russian intention has
been known, the exact time for par
ticipating in the war had not been
settled until quite recently. Hence
American correspondents for the last
several months have been asked by our
oficials not to predict Russia's entry
into the war because it was deemed
advisable to keep the japanese guessing.
The reason for this was that Russia
did not want to be attacked suddenly
in Siberia before she could complete
certain troop movements from Europe.
The japanese, on the other hand, kept
hoping against hope that the Russians
might become involved in . dispute with
the British snd Americans over Euro
pean questions and possibly decide to
stay out Of the war.
Could Net press" Russia.
The American and British govern
ments could not be in the position Of
pressing Russia. At one time some
American ofncials inclined to the belief
that the war against Japan could be
won without Russia. A good deal Of
talk of this kind emanated from WASH
ington for a while but 1t was not shared
by the officials at the top level. 1t may
or may not have been q countercurrent
to prevent the Russians from asking
more lease-lend aid or more military
help than 1t was thought advisable to
give.
Whatever the reason for this cur
rent of thinking. 1t will be recalled that
in these dispatches, the writer in May.
during the San Francisco Conference.
pointed out that America would ap-
preciate Russia's help against Japan.
To any one who is at all familiar
with the way the Allied Governments
have worked together ON q military
basis in this war, it was apparent that
Russia's plans were made long ago.
Consultation about air and sea bases in
Siberia and an exchange of information
as to theaters OF possible operation
were carried on with the greatest
secrecy.
bomb hastened the decision, for it was
already consummated ut Potsdam. This
correspondent learned several days ago
that the announcement Of Russias
entry into the war would be made
shortly and also that T. v. Soong, Chi
nese Premier, had gone to Moscow to
complete arrangements for the an
nouncement Of terms which would am
plify the Cairo declaration.
Points to be amplified in that decla-
ration, which was signed by China,
Great Britain and the United States,
have not been announced, but they
necessarily relate to Port Arthur and
to Korea.
The new agreement provides that Ko-
rea is to be given her independence
"in due course" as specified in the
Cairo declaration, but that In the in
terim period Russia, China and the
United States are to govern Korea un-
der joint trusteeship.
As for Port Arthur and the railroad
leading thereto, the arrangement made
between Russia and China Is that Rus
sia shall have access to Port Arthur.
which is to be 4 free port such rs the
League of Nations set up ut Danzig
after the First World War.
China Soviet Cenversations.
For many months there have been
conversations between China and Sow
let Russia relating to possible readjust-
ments in the Far East. 1t Is not dis
closed whether China was eager to bring
Russia into the war or whether she
acted primarily upon the suggestion
and initiative of Great Britain and the
United States.
But in the last several months Ameri.
can diplomacy has been active in IRON
ing out, at least for all practical pur-
poses, the relations between the Com
munist faction and the Chungking gov
ernment so that all energies could be
concentrated on winning the war against
Japan. The Tokyo government, on its
part, did everything it could to muddy
the waters and tried to persuade the
Chinese to accept a separate peace and
tried also to get Russia to mediate in tina
war. 1t was noted in these dispatches
before the last Big Three, conference
that Japan tried at Moscowfso get some
kind of compromise peace plan adopted.
Oficial Washington Is confident ths
end Of the war with Japan is in sight.
Plans already have been made for the
immediate occupation Of Japan IL sur.
render should come suddenly and with
out the necessity of q Tight It cer-
tainly would require considerable cau-
ton for an occupying force to be landed
now and the delicacy Of that sort Of
operation may well be estimated In ad-
vance. .4
: The war with Japan is almost over
1t is only the form and method Of ex-
Treating the Japanese people from the
dilemma they face which remains to
be determined.
(Reproduetien RiShts Rsssrved.)