MINISTER SAYS JAPAN'S HOUR HAS STRUCK.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 63, 14 March 1918, Page 5

MINISTER SAYS JAPAN'S HOUR HAS STRUCK.

PREVENTING RUSSIA FROM BEING WIPED OFF THE MAP. (Received 11.45 a.m.) NEW YORK, March 13. The New Work "Herald's" Paris correspondent interviewed M. Stephen Pichon, Foreign Minister, who said: — "Japan's hour has struck. We may expect that she will fulfil her duty; with firmness and loyalty. Japan is destined, to play a. foremost role in preventing Russia being wiped off the map."—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) AMSTERDAM, March 13. The German Press is reticent concerning Japan and Siberia. The only serious comment hitherto appears in the "Frankfurter Zeitung" and "Vossische Zeitung." The former declares Germany has played the Entente's game of excluding her from Asiatic markets by breaking up Russia and giving the Entente an excuse to encourage Japanese penetration. Germany has no more lope now than before of conducting a Far Eastern policy, except in connection with Britain and Russia. Balzmann, in an article in the "Vossische" says Germany's Russian policy has cemented the Anglo-American and Anglo-Japanese alliances, that security of Anglo-Indian and Australian colonial possessions has been renewed, and Germany again finds herself friendless in the world, while Britain laughs in tile background.—(Renter.) TOKYO, March 13. In reply to a question in the House of Representatives whether a request had been received from the Allies toi send troops to Siberia, the Foreign Minister, Viscount Montono, replied in the negative, but said an exchange of views was proceeding. Disclosures would be untimely. The leader of the Opposition favoured military action in Russia, but urged that the greatest precaution was necessary. The Premier, Count Terauchi, stated that no decision had yet been reached regarding the dispatch of troops. The Government was dealing with a momentous situation with the utmost care.— (Reuter.)