JAPAN'S ULTIMATUM

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 698, 26 August 1914, Page 5

JAPAN'S ULTIMATUM

COMMERCIAL INTERESTS THREATENED. London, Sunday. Japan ;has declared war upon Germany.

Japan, in explaining the. ultimatum she sent to Germany, states that Germany,, since the beginning of hoßtiliItiea, has been strengthening the for tifications at Kiao-chau, and even securing by force the labour of Chiness coolies. The German squadron ia making incessant appaarances in Japanese and Chinese Waters, threatening to interfere with British shipping. Thereby Germany is threatening Britain's commercial interests with Japan, whose vessels in many instances havo been detained, and the cargoes in some instances confiscated.

The possession of a strong nava base such as Kiao-chau ba3 enabled Germnny to act thus. In order to restore peace in Par Eastern waters, it is necessary that German should be completely eliminated, and. Kiao-chau restored to China. The Chinese Charga d'Affaires at Berlin left at four o'clock this morning, Geramny not having then replied to the ultimatum issued by Japan. The Japanese have decided that the war area extends to China eastward of the Yellow River. Germans have been under surveillance from noon on Sunday. The Japanese are ejecting Germans from Mukden, Chang Chun, and Dalny. The Japanese Embassy expects resistance at Kiao-chau, which is well defended by several thousand. Germans. The garrison has bed time to make preparations for resistance. A Japanese rescript commands the army and navy to carry on hostilities with all strength to attain the national aim. It concludes: "We hope to preserve peace in the. Far East, but Britain was compelled to declare war, and Germany, busy with warlike preparations at Kaio-chau, the warships threatening Japanese and British commerce had not replied to Japan'B sincere advice."