JAPAN AND SIBERIA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1715, 5 January 1920, Page 5

JAPAN AND SIBERIA.

BRITISH FAVOUR HAND

By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. : 4uitraliau-Wew Zealand Cable Association Received January 5, 9.15 a.m. LONDON, Jan. 3. •Semi-official advices fl’om Tokio explain that considerable movements ot Japanese troops to the seaboard are reinforcements intended to bring three divisions now in Siberia up to their war strength.The Japanese peace mission denies , the American statements that there-.are .83,001) Japanese troops already in Siberia, asserting that the troops sprinkled between Lake Baikal and V iadivestok do not exceed 35,000. Japan does not disguise her intention' of stemming the Boishcvik advance towards Lake Baikal, whatever the Americans may say. It is believed America will accept the Allies’ pressure, and consent to this. Military experts'consider the task easy. Occupation would give Japan command of the valuable Amur region and the domination of the whole of northern Mongolia and Manchuria;.

Leading British newspapers favour giving Japan a free hand in Siberia. The Times says Japan is naturally determined to arrest Bolshevism in regions adjacent to her sphere of inteiest. The Allies’- policy is to assist all border states to fight the Bolsheviks. A Daily Mail editorial declares that Japan’s intervention is’necessary fof saving civilisation and protecting China from the, incalculable perils of Bolshevik interference.