JAPAN AND RUSSIA

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXVII, Issue LXXVII, 26 May 1919, Page 8

JAPAN AND RUSSIA

COMMENT ON THEIR RELATIONS

BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYEIGHT

(Aus.-N~Z. Cablo Assn.) (Received May -26. 10.5 a.m.) LONDON, May 15 (delayed). The Manchester Guardian states that Japan's recognition of Koltchak, who claims to be _h e legitimate ruler of all Russia, is equivalent to a declaration of war on Bolsheviks,, and is a. complete reversal of the AlUejd policy. Independent actions suggest independent interests and an independent bargain. The newspaper asks has Koltchak promised Japan the remaining section of the Manchurian railways or a predominant position for the exploitation of Eastern Siberia. There are also numerous hints that Koltchak has conferred on Japan a suzerainty over Mongolia. This question manifestly involves China, which may find the* whole north circled by Japanese railway spheres and interests. The transactions over Shantung and with KoltchaTc threaten to give Japan practically, a monopoly of enormous markets.

, The Finnish army is mobilising on May 25th against Russia. The main force is to endeavor to cut communication between Murmansk and Petrograd. LONDON, May lMdelayed). Tho Daily News says that Japan's recognition of Koltchak giyes a very sinister point to Sir Douglas Haig's speech. The newspaper asks: Does this step mean a bold assertion of Japan's determination to stand out for claims in the East before the West has sufficiently, recovered to dispute them? [This message refers to a cablegranf I published in the Star on the 16th inst., j which stated that Sir Douglas Haig, I when he was installed as rector of St. | Andrew's University, said, inter alia: "We must be prepared, and should not fail to understand that the Yellow Peril is one of the utmost seriousness."]