RUSSIAN AFFAIRS

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14253, 2 January 1920, Page 5

RUSSIAN AFFAIRS

OPERATIONS IN SIBERIA. FREE HAND ACCORDED JAPAN. MAY SEND LARGE ARMY. 'Australian and"N.Z. Cable Assn.) NEW YORK, Dec. 13. The New York World's Washington correspondent says that it is authoritatively stated that an understanding has been reached between the United States and Japan under which Japan will have a free hand in any military measures necessary to protect the interests of Siberia. It is understood that Japan will send a fresh force to Siberia sufficiently large to defeat the Bolshevik army. KOLCHAK'S RETREAT. TROOPS' APPALLING CONDITION • POLITICAL CONFUSION. DANGEROUS REVOLT THREATENED. (The Times.) (Received Jan. 1, 5.5 p.m.) PEKING, Dec. 30. The condition of Admiral Kolchak's retreating troops is appalling, and to this is added the utmost political confusion. While Kotehak's advance is delaved the Premier and the remainder of the Government at Irkutsk are quarrelling. The Socialist municipality bitterly opposes the Government, and is prepared to compromise with the Bolsheviks. A dangerous revolt is threatened, and the local troops are totally unreliable. Companies sent out to suppress adjacent risings murdered their own officers and joined the Bolsheviks, of whom, there are many bands operating west of Lake Baikal. Even the Czechs, who are the stablest elements in Siberia, are more sympathetic towards the Socialists than the Government. The Allies must decide whether they will continue the support of an incompetent and intensely unpopular administration. Early Japanese intervention is imperative. AN OFFICIAL BULLETIN. JAPANESE AIMS EXPLAINED. CO-OPERATION WITH ALLIES. (ReUte'f.; (Received Dec. A, 11.'20 p.m.) W LONDON, Dec. 20, The following official bulletin is issued in view of Admiral Kolchak's retreat in Siberia, and the Japanese determination to stem iho flow oUJ&i* shevism. The whole situation is l»Ung reviewed by the Japanese OovWftment consultation with t- lC Allitt and the United States. At preseM Japan has 30,000 troops along th* trans :^ cm T n f raihvav and the UnUfcu States 7000. It Is understood that Japan will act only after discussion With, and in co-opera-fion with m Allies. If necessary japan is prepared to increase her forces in sffifc Meanwhile arrangements are Soittteted for the early repatriation of the tzecho-Slovak troops which a-re concentrated near Vladivostok.