Japan and Russia

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16151, 4 March 1918, Page 6

Japan and Russia

Our cablo messages this morning seem to indicate that tho suggestion of Japan taking military action in Siberia has not been taken up with anything approaching enthusiasm in Great Britain and tho United States. Tho American Government is reported to have stated that it does not object to Japan taking stops in self-protcction but docs not see its way to joining in an expedition. THo problem is a very dolicato one, full of embarrassment. Tho importance of preventing the large accumulation of Allies' military stores at Vladivostock from falling into enemy hands is manifest, but the ideas of tho Japanese Government appear to extend far beyond such simple procautionary measures as theso. It soems probable that Japanese troops will be landed, and both tho British and Japanoso Governments nro emphasising the fact that tho landing will bo in no senso hostile to Russia, or tho Russian Government, but tin purpose, apart from tho protection of Allied interests, is to assist Russia to lighten and eventually lift tho German burden. If thoro wore a Government entitled to spook and act in tho name of tho Russian nation and that Govornmcnt invited tho intervention and assistance of the Japanese on certain specifiod terms tho problem would bo simplo enough. As tho matter now stands, it is not at all cloar that a Japanese force landing in Vladivostock might not have to fight Russians in the first instance, and that clearly would be a most unfortunate development. We have reason to be grievously disappointed with tho turn of affairs in Russia, but it would bo a great blunder were we to stir up suspicion and antagonism against ourselves among the Russian people at this juncture; that would indeed bo playing tho German game. =*>

Radical Mr J. King, one of a little band whoso solo political objo:'t seems to be to embarrass tho Government by asking questions concerning matters which cannot safely be discussed publicly. It may be said, of course, that no Minister is bound to giro information that would be usoful to the enemy simply because some stupid or malevolent member asks for it, but it can be imagined that cases occur in which a Minister's refusal to reply would be as liable to do harm as -would his answer, if ho made one. On this occasion Mr King, who. on several sittings in the same week, had been rebuked by Ministers and the Speaker for putting mischiof-making questions, began a violent tirade against the Government regarding delicate foreign affairs. Lord Robert Cecil, rising to a point of order, asked the Speaker if there were any means of preventing a member of tho House from discussing matters that, in tho public interest, should not be discussed. The Speaker, after vainly suggesting to Mr King that hp should not continuo his speech on the line he had choson, confessed that unfortunately he had no power to stop a member from making remarks which, in tho ordinary course, would be permissible. In spite, theroforo, of the protests of sevornl members, including Mr Tim Hcaly, who suggested that the House should go into secret session, Mr King continued triumphantly. At last Lord Robert secured what he desired by tho use of the phrase by which, with the support of tho House, a member can still soeure for a debate the privacy which in theory belongs to Parliament. "Mr Speaker," he said, "I spy strangers-." That traditional interjection saved the situation. Tho Speaker at once put the question that strangers do withdraw, and, Mr King being apparently too staggered at the sudden turn of affairs to protest, tho motion -was at once agreed to. and the galleries wore immediately cleared, all visitors and reporters being required to leave the House. After that, -what Mr King said was a matter of little consequence. The incident was a curious example of tho generally dormant powers that Parliament possesses for its own protection being employed in the interests of the nation. The Huns, foiled in their attempt to capture Venice, are now showing thoir rago and brutality bv trying to dostroy by bombing the city's magnificent "jewels of architecture." "When German aeroplanes dropped bombs on Venice several months ago and damaged j ono of its churches there was at least, the plausible excuse that they were endeavouring to hit the arsenal and barracks near-by. Now there can bo no such excuse, bocause there are no objosts of military importance near the Church of St, Mark, tho Do go's Palace, or the Ponto Rialto. The latest exhibition of "f rightfulness'' can only proceed from the malignity of disposition which has caused the Teutons throughout this war to appear more like fiends escaped from hell than responsible human beings. It will be rernemb3rod' that when it seemed probable that Venice would fall into the hands of the enemy, the Pope mnde urgent representations that its beautiful buildings and other monuments should be left undamaged. The present action of tho Germans shows what kind of respscfc would have beon accorded to the Pope's representations had the city fallen into their hands. £ There is a curious misconception about "Tho Riaito" for which some authorities aro inclined to lay tho blame upon Shakespeare. Many people think that Shvlock was walking about- on tho Bridge of the Rialto when Antonio treated him with contumely. "The Rialto," tho quarter about the bridge,

was the business district of ancient Vonico, like "the City" in London.

"Get Shakespeare out of your head: he never was in Venice," says Mr Grant Allen. But is it not? the scsne painters and the stage managers whom wo have

to blame for, tho misconception referred to ?

Tile Bridge of the Rialto was built in 1588-92 by Giovanni da Ponto on the site of an oarlier wooden bridge. It is 158 ft long and 90ft wide, and consists of a single marble arch of 74ft span and 32ft in height, resting on 240 piles. Ruskin describes it as "The best building raised in tho time of tho Grotesque Renaissance; very noble in its simplicity, in its proportions, and in its masonry." He especially praises the sculpture of the Annunciation on tho southern side of the bridge; "how beautifully arranged so as to give more lightness and a grace to tho arch," the dove flying towards the Madonna forming the keystone. It is interesting to note, in tho light of the latest Teutonic outrage, that near the bridge is tho Fonduco do' Tedeschi, or Guild of the German Merchants in Venice. This is described as "being 16th century"—a largo dull block of buildings with five open arches on its ground floor and a curious parapet on top. If the German bombs destroyed this structure tho loss would not ho serious from an testhetic point of view, and tho Vonotians would scarcely regret it.