THE FAR EAST.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16163, 18 March 1918, Page 8

THE FAR EAST.

•' r ■ | , TO SAVE RUSSIA. f JAPAN WILL INTERVENE AS A I FRIEND. I * * S (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) j| ' (Australian and N.Z. Cab 1& Association.) I v IX)NDON a March 10. I In the House of Commons, Mr 'Bal--1 four said that Japan would intervene 1 as a friend, in order to preserve Russia | against Germany. "If Japan promises f to respect Russia's integrity," he said, ' 'sho will keep the promise, as she has always kept her promises to us. Wo < desire to see Russia intact and free, in » order that the revolution may bear the I best fruits.'.' He was optimistic regarding Rusisa's future, but Russia was out of the war. The Revolutionists wanted to constitute - an army for national defence, and would doubtless (welcome our assistance, but could they improvise a new instrument ? He. repudiated the suggestion that Japan's intervention was intended to ■ dismember Russia. Japan would be Russia's-friend against Germany. Ho did not believe that Germany intended - to send a powerful force ]to. Vladi- : vostock, but German penetration would < bo absolutely disastrous for Russia, and • injurious to tho_ Allies. He . Relieved ■ the Bolsheviks wished to resist penetration, but ho feared they were too late. Ho feared Germany would find an opportunity to use her favourite device of dividing Russia against herself, urging the democracy to supplant the autocracy, and vice versa, and fostering disorder until hdr, intervention would bo sought from sheer weariness. Then a new autocracy would arise in Russia worse than the old, because it would ftp,based on a foreign Power, and Ruswould be powerless to resist this. She needs our help and sympathy," "Wo wish to give them, and not to increase her troubles. The Allies should do all in their power to brine \ Russia through this crisis."

I RAPPROCHEMENT IN CHINA. (Received March 17th, 5.0 p.m.) TOKIO, March 15. It is stated that Japan intends to mediate between North and South China to unify the factions, in order to ricet the Russian crisis. . SIBERIAN DISORDERS INCREASING. (Reuter'e Telegrams.) (Received March 17th, 7.30 p.m.) TOKIO, March 15. Disorders are increasing throughout Siberia. , The newspapers report that the Maximalists murdered 150 Japanese at Blogovestchensk. f INVASION OF CHINA. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received March 17th, 5.5 p.m.) i- j ■ PEKING, March 15. |' A force of 10,000 Tibetians lias in- ; vaded China and captured several towns i in the province.