The Press. Saturday, August 25, 1917. Japan, Russia, and the war

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15989, 25 August 1917, Page 8

The Press. Saturday, August 25, 1917. Japan, Russia, and the war

[■ The report that Japaneso troops will ' shortly be fighting side by sido with •; tho Russians is repeatod to-day. Tho ■ t "Potit Journal" 6ays that thero aro no U longer any difficulties in tho l way of ' Japanese "intervention" in Europe, and that "a glorious dawn will be ill symbolised by tho appearance of tho Japaneso flag on tho Russian front." til Simultaneously, wo are told that' the El Japanese Mission to. America has lot it b bo known that Japan • is willing to |rj assume a larger share in tho war if roll,;! quired, while officials of the Russian | Embassy in Washington aro admitting R, that the Russian armies cannot renew |. tho offensive on a large scale until holp r is received from tho Allies. It is j understood that America will send men L to tho Russian front, 'and Germany I iuay accordingly soon see tho strange

(nud to her, tho horrible) sight of Russian, Japanese, and American flags ranged together against the Central flowers. This will be tho culminating [blow, for Germany lias sought the friendship of theso three Powers in turn, and has expended most of her best diplomatic skill in estranging Japan from Russia, and America from Japan. Thoro has been no more complete failure than this for statecraft in modern times. Tho friendly feeling [between Russia and Japan was growing ibefore tho war began, for the Russo--Japanese trouble of a dozen years ago [left no deep wounds on oither side. Uince tho war commonced Japan has [furnished great stores of guns and to Russia, and it will not bo isurprising if she soon sends men also, jfrhe politics of Japan, until very recently, offered a marked contrast to the Ipolitics of Britain and Franco, in that where was nothing like the amalgamation of parties which, in France and j IBritam, may not have produced perfect |! material efficiency, but certainly havo | fexorcised tho spirits brow national Hisunion. Recently, ' however, a ' (National Advisory Council was estabin Japan] -which, although op-

posed by Okuma'6 ;, Constitutionalist" Party, is an indication of the Government's desire to unite all the parties in ono national union. Even more important than the new relation between Russia and Japan is tho beginning of a new relation between Japan and America, which is signified by the Ishii mission. Tho purpose of this mission is- the discussion of Japan's policy in the Far East, and the clearing up of misunderstandings fostered by the yellow Press of both countries. Viscount Ishii was to be accompanied by military and naval representative.?, and it was naturally concluded that the naval and military co-operation of tho two countries was contemplated. If Japan is to supply reinforcements to Russia the effect cannot but be great and wholesome. Russia has men enough and to ppare, but they arc lacking in discipline and equipment, and also, it must bo confcsecd, in confidence in themselves. Their fighting capacity would be very grea,tjy strengthened by the co-operation of the fine soldiers of the Mikado. Approximate figures relating to the Japanese fighting forces at tho present time arc not available, but her military system ought to mako it easy for Japan to spare, if necessary, half a million troops for Russia's European front. Iu the meantime America is to furnish men, and the Allies generally can supply the financial support. With those strong hands to'"help her, Russia should once agnin become a powerful and aggressive factor in breaking tip tho enemy.