The Daily News. THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1918. HELPING THE CZECHOSLOVAKS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 July 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, JULY 25, 1918. HELPING THE CZECHOSLOVAKS.

The question of intervention by America and Japan in Siberia lias been the subject of considerable hesitation both in Japan and America. This is not. surprising when there is so much at stake, for once a combined military force operates at Vladivostoek, there is no knowing what complications may ensue, nor to what extent the two countries and the Allies generally may he called upon as the outcome of this intervention. But tiie need was undoubtedly urgent, and it is willi a. feeling of relief that the plunge will be welcomed. Apparently. Japan has been willing for some time lo take this step in conjunction with America, yet the United States has evidently been reluctant to take this joint action, and probably would not have finally consented had not a deliberate act of intervention already taken place by participating with Britain in the landing of i troops on the Murraan Coast. The \difficult,v with Japan appears to

have been tin: question of compensation. From one point of view Japan was certainly justified in expecting a quid l'i ,( > ( I uo j ' )llt ii; } s nKmifi'si thiil no promise of this nidure could lie made, though satisfactory negotiations may lie conducted hereafter and a way found to reward Japan for her services. At. present this aspect of the intervention business need not be discussed, the fact of its being actually agreed upon being amply sufficient to permit of the move being regarded as a success that may have an important bearing on the future of the war. The avowed object of the intervention is to assist the Czecho-Slovaks and give them a secure base .at Vladivostok', but this may be a mere prelude to active operations by Japan in the near future if the saner parties in Russia will only combine with the object of reselling Eussia from German domination. The presence of ,a Joint Japanese-American force may be a potent factor in rallying the Russians who are loyal to their country and to the Allies, to join with the Czecho-Slovaks in eliminating the Bolsheviks and driving out the Germans. If a wise and reliable policy could now be laid doAvn it would be quite possible to be; ready for a powerful campaign next spring which would revitalise Russia and compel Germany to meet organised forces. It may be taken for granted that having once put their hands to the Russian plough, the Americans and Japanese would see the business through, and that the matter of munitions and equipment would present no difficulty. In this direction both Britain and France could and would assist onee they are convinced that these war materials will be legitimately used and not become instruments of promoting further internal strife and chaos. The mere presence of powerful Japanese and American armies will do much to convince the moderate parties in Russia that the Allies have still the best interest of the country at heart, and this knowledge will dissipate all tendency to welcome the Germans as a lesser evil than being at the mercy of the Bolsheviks. Inasmuch as the first business is to suppress these Bolshevik traitors and anarchists the support given to the Czecho-Slovaks will be an object lesson to all Russia, while the protection of the Murman Coast will also help to make known the practical sympathy of those nations who still regard Russia as an .ally, and one that is in urgent need of friendship, sympathy, and military aid. The Russians know enough of the Germans to be well assured that no matter what pretence Germany may make of restoring order and protecting Russia from the lawlessness of the Bolshevik and other disintegrating forces, that

Germany's ultimate object is to malce Russia a vassal State to be manipulated for German ends. The Bolsheviks, moreover, have been proved to be paid agents of the Germans .and to have wrecked Russia's hopes by the basest treachery. Germany's duplicity is so obvious that it is inconceivable the truly patriotic Russians can be beguiled by Teutonic promises. Now is the time for making a real attempt to put Russia in order, and to enable her to rise to the dignity of a great democratic nation.. The people have suffered bitterly from tyranny and oppression, but they have now an opportunity to overthrow both tli invader and, the foes of their own household and it is to be hoped that they will not let that opportunity pass. The American-Japan-ese intervention should be hailed wilh the utmost satisfaction by the people of Russia, and be made the means of rallying them in their own defence.