The Dominion WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 1917. JAPAN AND HER ALLIES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3097, 30 May 1917, Page 4

The Dominion WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 1917. JAPAN AND HER ALLIES

_ Following ou the report of. the intention of America to dispatch alaige military force to the Western front conies the news "from an authoritative source" that Japan will send armies to the Eastern front to assist the Russians. ] t may betaken for granted so far as Japan is concerned that before undertaking any such step the Japanese Government would require to have very definite assurances from the Bussian Government that it intended to prosecute the war with the utmost possible vigour, and that it,was in a position to exercise that authority a,nd control over the Army and pecjplc necessary to ensure a steadfast adherence to the commitments entered into- That is to say, Japan would not be foolish enough to send forces into Russia to assist tho armies of the new Republic so long as any doubt existed as to tho resolution of those armies and the people behind them in regard to the prosecution of the war. It would be natural and only reasonable in.the light of events since tho revolution that Japan in the circumstances should require guarantees' of an absolute and binding na-

ture before embarking on any such enterprise as is mentioned in today's cable news. As to tho possibility of her taking the step stated, even though she might bo satisfied of Uussia's readiness and capacity to fulfil her obligations to the Allies, it would seem by no means unlikely that Japan should be willing to assist. Japan has fufillcd her obligations to her Allies and more especially to Britain in connection with the war in a most liberal fashion. She has done all that was expected of her and more. Last moath tho Japanese Ambassador at London, Viscount Su'fEMi Chinda, and the Japanese- delegates who wore about to attend tho great Economic .Congress of tho Allies at llomo ' were entertained by tho Commercial Committee- of the House of Commons, and tho occasion was marked by * two most interesting speeches. The first of these was delivered by Lord Robert Cecil, Minister of Blockado and Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and tho second by the Japanese Ambassador. Loud Robert CECin specially stressed the natural sympathy between British and Japanese, arising out of the fact that as nations • they had so much in common, and ho also dwelt on the valuable help that_ Japan had given in the war. His references under these heads are of particular interest because of tho reply they evoked from the Japanese Ambassador. "He agreed," he remarked, "with everything _ that Lord Robert Ceoil had ' said regarding the Alliance (between Britain and Japan). He was convinced that in tho whole history of the intercourse of the two nations there had never been, a time when the tics of friendship and the bonds ot understanding and good accord had been stronger than they were to-, day." Ho then proceeded:— Lord Eobert had also spoken nt the

services rendered by Japan »' connection with the war. Tho most important factor in making Japan decide for the war was lier determination to live ill) to tho letter nnd the spirit of- tho alliance. That was the only honourable course of action for Japan to pursue. Yet, strange to say. More Japnn declared her attitude her futnro course of action was a matter of speculation and conjecture among the nations not sufficiently acquainted with the strength of the tics binding Great Britain and Julian together. Even in Berlin he remembered there was a rumour current for ii time that Jniinn was coins to declare war against Ttussia and lake sides with thn Germans. Ho did not know how such <i course of action could have suggested ■ itself, except to the minds of the Germans. It was true that Jauau had been at war with/Russia, but their friends at Berlin forgot to lake info account that in that war thev fought like gentlemen—(cheers)—nnjj that accordingly, on (he conclusion nf peace, thev could shake hands with each other without any rancour. Count Chinda passed lightly over what Japan, had done, in Uui war, and lie concluded with those words:

"Japan had done., and wns doin , :, all sin l could commensuralo with her natural resources and geographical position in the way which was most effective in the opinions of l.bo joint. GoviMT.mculs in tho

general -interests of the common cause."

Since Japan is acting j n }l com . nion cause anil in consultation with tho Allies, _ia order to assist iu the most effective manner possible, j(. may reasonably bo assumed that in givcp. circumstances she might send troops to the aid of tk> Russian armies. That- such a force would be of immense Value at the present juncture needs no stressing. Rus-sia-has men in plenty, but not fully trained troops; amAhe disorganisation which has arisen as the result of the revolution will taketime to repair, liuh it .is the moral effect of tho sending of Japanese troops to the Eastern front that would probably be of most immediate value. A few months ago, bceauso of her very sensitive, relations with America, Japan might have .ffllfc strongly disinclined to send any "large- body of troops to Europe. To-day, with America- fighting on the side of the Allies, and sending military as well as naval forces across the Atlantic, that objection at least would be removed. Japan, like America, has done well out of the war in supplying munitions to tho Allies, but, like America, sho must realise that the sooner the war is now ended tho better it will be for the whole world, Japan included, and that if Russia is not now stiffened up and heartened the strugglemay drag on indefinitely. In the circumstances it will be by no means surprising to find that there is some foundation for the _ reports of Japan's reported intentions. Should they prove to be correct, it will be another bitter blow to the Central Powers, and will come at a. time when the people of Germany and of her Allies are least able to sustain the shock of such disastrous tidings.