JAPAN'S DECLARATION OF WAR.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 40, 3 October 1914, Page 6

JAPAN'S DECLARATION OF WAR.

Following; is. the full text of Japan's declaration of war:— "The Imperial Rescript; , "Issued at Tokio, 23rd August, 6 p.m. :- : - , , ■ "We, by. the, grace of Heaven, Emperor of Japan, seated 9" the throne occupied by the same dynasty from' time immemorial, do hereby make the following proclamation to all our loyal and brave subjects:— "We hereby declare war against Germany, and we command our army and navy to carry on hostilities against that, Empire 'with all their strength, and we also, command; all our competent authorities to make every effort, in pursuance of their respective duties, to attain the national aim by all means within the limits of the law;of nations. '.'Since the outbreak of the present war in Europe, the calamitous effect of which we view with grave concern, we on our part have entertained hopes pf preserving peace in the F«y- East by the maintenance of "Strict neutrality, but the action of Germany has at length compelled Great Britain, our ally, to open hostilities against that country,and Germany, is at Kiao-chau, its leased territory in China, busy with warlike preparations, while its armed vessels, cruising seas .'of Eastern Asia, are threatening our commerce and that of our ally. Peace of. the Far East is thus in jeopardy. "Accordingly, our Government ana that, of His Britannic Majesty, after full and frank communication with each other, agreed to take such measures as may be necessary for the protection of the general interests, contemplated in the agreement of alliance, and we on our part, being desirous to attain that object by peaceful means, commanded our Government to offer with sincerity an advice to the imperial German Government. By the last day appointed for' the purpose, however, our Government failed to receive an answer' accepting their advice .''• is with profound regret that we, in spite of our ardent devotion ,'o thvausp of peace, are thus compel';d to declare war, especially at this early t. ;riod of our reign, and while we are ki\U ;i mourning for our lamented mother. "Ft is our earnest wish that by the loyalty and valour of our faithful subjects. p?ace may soon be restored and the .!<:.%• of the empire be enhanced."