Peking, March 32.
Many reports have been current in Peking of the imminent evacuation of Siberia by the Japanese! Expeditionary Force, and at the same time many denials of these reports have emanated from Japaaese Official sources.
There is good reason, however, to believe that the rumours are not without foundation, for various intelligence officers in the North have reported within the last week to their various Legations in Peking that complete evacuation of Siberia by the Japanese troops was not only contemplated but had already In one instance it was reported that in response to definite orders for evacuation, the Japanese Army of Occupation had begun its preparations to return to Japan on the 4th of this month and that the orders were so urgent that complete evacuation was anticipated in the very near future. It was added that the Japanese forces would not even wait for the straggling Czechs, Rumanians and others to reach Vladivostok, and that even with regard to the American contingent there was to be no ceremony about the order of going.
Ger, Our oF Russta.
This is something more than rumour—these statements are the essence of official reports, and it! may be added that such intel-licences disappoint no one. Remote as Peking is from Siberia, nearly every Legation has taken more or Jess paing to keep in close touch with the political situation there, and it has been keenly felt for some time that the sooner everyone got out of Russia, the better would be the relations between all interested governments and the Russian people, and the better would be the chances for the evolution of a real government in Russia.
This is not a new sentiment but it has taken a long time to make an} impression. The present situation was prophesied by a great many editorial scribes as early as the spring of 1918, and intervention in Siberia was then deplored for the very reason which now makes evers-one deplore that there ever was ai intervention, namely, that suit measures only theek a natural process of economic fermentation and serve to arouse the ill-will of all parties concerned.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.