Hokitika Guardian and Evening Star MONDAY, AUGUST 27th, 1917. THE JAPANESE ENTRY.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian and Evening Star MONDAY, AUGUST 27th, 1917. THE JAPANESE ENTRY.

The. report that Japanese troops will shortly Ijo fighting side by side with the Russians is repeated again .very positively in the late cable news. The “Petit Journal’’ says that there are no longer any difficulties in the way ol Japanese “intervention” in Europe, and•that “a glorious dawn will be symbolised by the appearance of the Japanese flag of the Rising Sun on the Russian • front.” Simultaneously, we are told that the Japanese Mission to America has let it be known that Japan is willing to assume a largei share in the war if required, while officials of the Russian Embassy in Washington are admitting that the Rmssian armies cannot renew the offensive on a largo scale until help is received from the Allies. It is understood. that America will send men to the Russian front, and Germany may

accordingly soon see the strange (and to her, the horrible) sight of Russian, Japanese, and American flags ranged together against the Central Powers. This, considers the Press, will be the culminating blow, for Germany has sought the friendship of these three

Powers in turn, and has expended most of, her host diplomatic skill in estranging Japan from' Russia, and America from Japan. There hns been no more complete failuro that this for statecraft in . modern times. Tho friendly feeling between Russia and Japan was growing before the war began, for the Russo-Japanese trouble of a dozen

years ago left no deep wounds on either side. Since tho war commenced Japan has furnished great stores of guns and munition to Russia, and it will not be surprising if sho soon sends men also. Tho politics of Japan until very recently, offered a marked contrast to the politics of Britain and Franco, in that there was nothing like the amalgamation of parties which, in France and Britain, may not have produced perfect material efficiency, hut certainly have exorcised the spirits that brow national disunion. Recently, however, a National Advisory Council was established in Japan,- which although opposed by Okuma’s “Constitutionalist” Party, is an indication of the Government's desire to invite all the parties in one national union. Even more important than the new relation between I Russia and Japan is the beginning of n 1 new relation between Japan and Amo- 1 rica which is signified by the - Ishii 1 mission, The • purpose of this mission *

is' the diaousslon of Japanese policy in 1 the Far East, and the clearing up of misunderstandings fostered by tha yellow Press of both countries. -Viscount IshiLwas to be accompanied by military and naval representatives, and j it was naturally concluded, that tho j navel and military co-operation of tho • two countries was contemplated. If Japan is to supply reinforcements to Russia tho effect cannot bo great and wholesome. Russia has men enough and to spare but they are lacking in discipline and equipment, and also, it must bo confessed, in confidence in themselves. Their fighting capacity would be very greatly strengthened by tho co-operation of the fine soldiers of the Mikado. Approximate figures relating to the Japanese fighting forces at the present tiino are not available, but her military system ought to make it easy for Japan to spare, if necessary, half a million trops for Russia’s European front. In the meantime America is to furnish men, and, tho Allies generally can supply the financial support. With these strong hands to help her, Russia should once and again become a power and aggressive factor in breaking up the enemy.