Japan Stays in Siberia 1920>

Is it "have Japan invade the Soviet Union" week or something?

Yes it is :p

As per the title; Japan attempts to retain military control of the far eastern region it occupied 1918-1920. I'm seeing this as politically and economically troubling for Japan, but what are the other opinions, and can anyone see some ways around the problems that dont involve large scale use of fairy dust?

Ultimately this leads to the question of a 'Northern Resource Area' being in Japans hands as the 1940s come.
 
Unfortunately it requires thousands of tonnes of fairy dust.
  • Japan had no financial structure to support such an expedition;
  • The White Russian Army was a crumbling force;
  • The Red Army was marching in.
 
Unfortunately it requires thousands of tonnes of fairy dust.
  • Japan had no financial structure to support such an expedition;

That one requires the continued support of the British banks, probablly involving US credit as well. OTL neither Britain or the US was forthcoming with such. What it would take to shake loose the credit I cant say. A deep business interest in far eastern resources?

A look at the strength of the Soviet army & the condition of the trans Siberian railway in 1919 might give us some insight into how fast the Japanese would be beaten down.
 
More Success in War with Poland

One idea that I have seen on the board is for the Soviets to win the war with Poland and then tries to conquer Germany. The thinking was that with the Red army being more successful, then Britain would be looking for ways to push back the Red army. One way would be to support Japan with loans and supplies. This would force the Red army to send troops and supplies east and away from Europe. In exchange for fighting the Red army, Japan would get to keep the Far Eastern Region if they can hold it.

Stubear1012
 
One idea that I have seen on the board is for the Soviets to win the war with Poland and then tries to conquer Germany. The thinking was that with the Red army being more successful, then Britain would be looking for ways to push back the Red army. One way would be to support Japan with loans and supplies. This would force the Red army to send troops and supplies east and away from Europe. In exchange for fighting the Red army, Japan would get to keep the Far Eastern Region if they can hold it.

Stubear1012
Would they be allowed to directly control it though? I think more a Manchukuo-esque puppet state with a White Russia Kingdom/Republic.
 
Control of Far Eastern District

While Japan may not like that, I can see where they would accept it as a way to indirectly control the area. Also that would help recruit more White Russians to fight the Red army.

I can also see the Far Eastern district eventually merging with Manchukuo since most of the area was taken from the Chinese Empire by the Czars.
 
While Japan may not like that, I can see where they would accept it as a way to indirectly control the area. Also that would help recruit more White Russians to fight the Red army.

I can also see the Far Eastern district eventually merging with Manchukuo since most of the area was taken from the Chinese Empire by the Czars.

A big question would be whether or not this Russian Far East country could sustain its own borders, because otherwise its support can still prove dubious - after the Polish threat is gone the British will cease financial support, and Japan would have to find its own way to see a continued buffer between itself and Communism.
 
Play the Red Scare card with the USA

I agree that eventually Britain support may fade as the Red threat fades in Europe. Also, due to the high cost of WW 1, the British will sooner or later reach the limits of their ability to make loans.

If I was the Japanese, I would play the Red Scare card with the USA. I would lobby the USA government for support pointing out the dangers of Communism. I would provide provide tours of the battle front to Senators and Congressmen. I would arrange meetings with widows and orphans who would talk about the brutality of the Red Army. I would arrange for priests and nuns to meet and discuss the godlessness of the Communist Army. I would support any Senator or Congressmen who want to use the Red Scare to advance their career.

I would not ask for any soldiers. Instead I would ask for credit to buy surplus military equipment and food. It is my understanding that the USA ended WWI with a lot of surplus equipment that they did not use. Also about this time, farming income was falling due to high food production.

I do agree that Japan will need a larger power backing them until the Soviet Union decides they want to focus on internal development. Sooner or later the Soviet Union will need peace to rebuild.

Stubear1012
 
The US traditionally had good relations with Russia and Japan is much more a threat to US interests than the USSR. The Red Scare was domestic in nature and it was the second one in the fifties that carried over into foreign policy. The Senators and Congressmen and admirals and generals with an inclination to look abroad would be looking for trade opportunities or how to assert American dominance in the Pacific. Japan bleeding out its strength in Russia suits them perfectly no need to waste US dollars on alleviating that.
 
No major foreign backing necessary.

Instead, have the Bolshevik coup against the SRs be a partial failure and have Russia descend into a Syrian-style civil war that makes the OTL one look tame in comparison, and drag out said war into the late 20s - early 30s. When the dust settles, there are two different polities in the Russian heartland claiming to be the main government, break-away states all over the place and all major cities in rubble.

Internally divided and without an industrial base with which to sustain a modern war, no Russia, whether its ruled by Communists, Socialists, Kadets, White monarchist generals or crazy Genghis Khan wannabes, will be able to force the issue anytime soon, letting Japan hold unto its Siberian puppet until the target date of the 1940s.
 
Who would the Japanese put in charge of this Far Eastern-Siberian puppet state? Some White Russian general probably, but which one? Would its capital be Vladivostok? How would the survival of this White rump state in the Far East affect internal Soviet politics?
 
If the Whites did a little better than OTL in the West, could the Japanese have a cause that they are protecting the Eastern Siberia. Perhaps somehow care out a Protecterate?
 
Top