Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 96, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 March 1918 — JAPS WANT TO FIGHT [ARTICLE]

JAPS WANT TO FIGHT

INVASION OF SIBERIA CONSIDERED BY U. S. OFFICIALS. Washington Officials Will Not Await Arrival of Ambassador Before Taking Up Rian. Washington, March I.—An early decision probably will be readied on the momentous question as to whether America and the entente allies shall join Japan in a campaign in eastern Siberia to counteract possible German activities in that save the great supply of military stores accumulated at Vladivostok and interior points on the Siberian railway. It had been understood that this decision might await the arrival in Washington of Viscount Ishii, the newly appointed Japanese ambassador to the United States, but it was said that recent developments, Including increasing pressure from entente sources, would likely cause a more speedy determination of the question. It is freely admitted in official circles that this is a great question Indeed. A radical departure from established rules of international law would be involved in the forcible entry into a nCutrai country, and consideration must be given to the possible effect upon the Russian people of such a course in their relations to the present war. On the other hand, growing indications that Japan cannot much longer be restrained from taking some action in Siberia are causing serious consideration of the Japanese invitation to the entente allies and America to participate. It is learned that the issue is now approaching the critical point in the opinion of the Japanese government, which has concluded that such action as it proposes to., take in Siberia is Imperative as a defensive measure against Germanic aggression and control of the wreck of the late governmental machinery in Siberia. While no exact precedent lias been found for a joint international move-' ment in Siberia, it is believed that warrant may be found for it in the famous Boxer campaign, when, without any* formal declaration of war on China, several European powers united with Japan and America in the march to Peking, primarily planned to relieve the legatloners beset there by the Boxers, but also designed to put dqwn the state of anarchy which existed in that portion of China. London, March I.—A Morning Post dispatch from Shanghai says that, according to the Chinese press, China will co-operate with Japan in the Siberian operations by sending four divisions.