The Daily News. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1918. TIME FOR JAPAN'S ACTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 February 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1918. TIME FOR JAPAN'S ACTION.

The cabled statement concerning the interview between Mr. Balfour and the Japanese Ambassador in London has aroused considerable curiosity as to the nature of the conversations that took place, the more so as no indication waß given, but in view of the hints as to Japan's possible intervention in Russia it is generally considered that the discussion was in that direction. This view is confirmed by to-day's cables, wherein we are told that the British and French newspapers are commenting on Japan's attitude towards Russia, in view of the shameful capitulation of the Bolsheviks. Moreover, the news that the Germans have refused the Russian request for an armistice, and are advancing on Petrograd, which city they have almost reached, accentuates the position. It is pointed out that although Japan is not a European nation, now that Russia in Asia looms before German ambition as one of the spoils of the war, the Allies can come to a practical agreement With Japan to take a militant part in the common struggle, and the time for Japan to act has now arrived, as the German peril in the East is too real to be ignored, Germany's new dream being for a road from Berlin to Tokio, instead of from Berjin to Bagdad. It is quite evident that Japan realises the German menace as indicated by her overrunning and subjugating Russia, and that the new developments of Teutonic policy can only be counteracted by force of arms. The difficulty in securing Japan's aid lies in the difficulty of providing her with a suitable quid pro quo. But, assuming that she is willing to act, she may be able to do something useful if wo take long views. It is improbable that she can save Petrograd and Moscow, but the enemy may find the holding of Russian territory more difficult than its seizure. If it be true that the bulk of their forces have been taken from the East front and massed for an offensive in the West, the Austro-Germans must be attacking Russia with forces ridiculously small in proportion to the magnitude of the operations involved. Indeed, it is declared by Krylenko that Germany is unable to throw large armies against Russia, but only small detachments ranging from 1000 to 2500. Thjs statement is probably exaggerated, but the German forces must be very small, and what Russia needs is a nucleus round which her forces

can rally. There are millions of trained soldiers in the country, and if these were assembled round a nucleus of Japanese troops and Cossacks, the enemy would probably be unable to hold their enormously extended line, but would have to retire. During the Russo-Japan-ese War the Russians transported over the Trans-Siberian Railway to Manchuria a total of 823.000 men and 15S0 guns, with equipment of all descriptions. The line has now been double-tracked, and Japan should easily transport across it an army big enough, with Russian assistance, to compel the small Auslro-Germaii armies to evacuate Russia. That would take a long time, but long views are necessary, as we are out for a fight to a finish, which may take time. Hitherto Japan has done good scrvicf on the seas, but now that America has joined the Allies the United States Navy will be able to assist in this work', and Japan could very well use her fleet for actively assisting in the war operations. It is, however, her armies tjiat would be of incalculable use at the present time, and it is to be hoped that, in view of the urgent need for putting an end to Germany's new programme, which menaces Japan quite as much as the otiier nations involved, Japan will not hesitate to make her alliance a real source of strength to the Allies, and a protection against German ambition. It is satisfactory to note that the London Times forecasts immediate and drastic action by the Japanese.