JAPAN AND SIBERIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 January 1920, Page 4

JAPAN AND SIBERIA.

Under a process of peaceful penetration, Japan lma now large interests in Siberia, and to guard those interests she has thirty thousand troops at present along the Trans-Siberian railway. If necessary, she is prepared to increase her forces there, and a recent cable stated that she had sent forward a fresh force sufficiently large to defeat Bolshevik arms, America consenting to this action;' There has been a very large and everincreasing army of Japanese soldiers anif traders in Siberia f'or some time, past* and Japan has, during the occupation of the country, been busily engaged in that process of peaceful penetration that has come to be regarded as the first step to-; wards annexation or control. Under the peculiar conditions now existing in that region, Japan has had no difficulty in obtaining the concessions she desired, and her policy of exploitation is meeting with pronounced success. All that Japan required was official recognition of her right to protect her interests, and incidentally deal with the Bolsheviks effectively, for she thoroughly realises that these disruptionists and terrorists are a serious menace to her control of Siberia. According to the New York World's Washington correspondent, an understanding has been reached between the United States and Japan, under which the latter will have a free hand in any military measures deemed necessary by her in Siberia. Although there appears to be an understanding that Japan will act only after discussion with the Allies, it may be assumed that such a step is merely a matter of form, for under the exceptional state of affairs caused by the failure of the anti-Bolsheviks in Russia to defeat the forces of anarchy, the Allies will probably be only too eager to place in Japan's hands a task which they are disinclined to undertake themselves. Obviously, Japan is not going to adopt military measures against tho Bolsheviks unless the venture is made worth while. She could hardly be expected to dispose of the Bolshevik menace merely that the country would be opened up for trade by other nations, who would reap the reward of her sacrifices. The only just way in which to regard the matter is to place it on a strict business footing, and on that basis Japan should have the right to control Siberia in much the same way as if she had received a mandate from the Supreme Council. Japan needs room for expansion, and Siberia vrould supply the need, thus putting an end to all fear of her penetration in the Pacific and Atlantic. It has to bo realised that Japan is now one of the Great Powers, and an ally of Britain, and that she should not be regarded as a predatory barbaric nation. The future hold? a great destiny for her, and it is folly to exhibit animosity towards her natural evolution. In view of all the circumstances, every encouragement should be given to Japan to combat Bolshevism.