Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-18
JArAN's REASONS FOR WAR.
Full Text Received of the Emperor's
Proclamation

VICTORIA, BIC. August IS-The steamer
Empress of japan. from Yokohama. brings
news TO the effect that war was formally
declared August g. the proclar- alton being
received with every token of rejoicing
Throughout Japan, offers of men and means
coming from all corners of the empire
The formal declaration of war, as pub
lshed in the Japan Official Gazette reads
as follows:
We, the Emperor of the empire of great
japan, having ascended the throne by
virtue Of the Hneal succession unbroken
for ages eternal. fully assured OF heavenly
aid do announce to all cur brave and loyal
subjects that We hereby declare war against
China.
"All our officials and officers, with view
to the carrying out OF our intentions
should devote themselves TO warlike mat
tsrs or TO carrying the war against
China and in all respects strive to further
the national object.
They are desired 10 leave nothing un-
done. but on the contrary to use every
means TO this end within the limits of their
respective offices in a manner not prejudi-
Cisl 10 the international law.
over twenty years have now elapsed
since our accession 10 the throne Dur
ing this time have consistently pursued
the policy Of peace. being deeply impressed
with the sense Of the undesrabiity of be-
ing In strained relations with other ma
tons, and have always directed our Off
Gals diligently to endeavor to promote
friendship with all the treaty powers For
tunately. our Intercourse with the nations
has contisued to increase to intimacy.
contrary TO cur expectations, however
every act Of China toward this country in
connection with the affairs of Corea has
been opposed 20 the principles that should
govern the relations between friendly ma
tions and has been breach of good faith
toward Japan.
"CCrea is an independent country, which
was first induced by Japan to open its
doors to foreign Intercourse and TO take
its place among the nations of the world
Yet, China has always described it as her
tributary and has both openly and Sc
cretly interfered with its internal affairs
ON the recent insurrection breaking out
In the peninsula China, on the pretext that
she meant to protect her tributary from
calamity. sent troops hither
We by virtue Of the provisions of the
convention of 1855. dispatched troops 10
COrea to deal with the emergency and We
also have made efforts to relieve Corea
from internal disturbances and maintain
peace in that country to secure the peoce
Of the east We asked China to co-operate
with US TO that end. China however on
various pleas declined our request we
thereupon advised Corea to remedy the
abuses in her administra ton and strength
en- the guarantees Of domestic peace and
order while perfecting her privileges as
an independent nation.
~COrea adopted the suggestions of this
country China. however offered every
obstruction to and caused delay in the
carrying out OF reforms. and that country
moreover, began the preparations on the
land and sea with a view to war On the
completion of her preparations she attempt
ed to achieve the object of her ambition
with reference TO COrea. dispatching more
troops TO that country and attacking our
men-Of-war In the Corean seas She thus
acted toward Japan in exceedingly law
less fashion. 1t is now beyond doubt that
the project OF China is to destroy the au-
thOrity responsible for the maintenance OF
peace in COrea and 20 degrade into OBJ
scurity that country which Japan introduced
TO the world an independent nation; 10
ignore the treaty which clearly defined her
Independence and thereby to injure the
rights and interests of Japan and destroy
forever all assurance Of peace in the east
Judging from the actions Of China SO far
her scheme must have aimed at the sacri-
fee Of all peaceful guarantees and the ac-
COmplshmen at all costs of her own OBJ
jecte. To this stage the situation has now
developed.
Though IL has always been our desire
TO maintain peace with all nations, and In
doing so 10 display the glory of our empire
at home and abroad, have no course
open to US but to declare war in the hope
that We may be able to restore peace In
good time and thus to vindicate the prestige
Of japan by the loyalty and the bravery OF
our subjects