Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1904-02-17
MIkado's Case Against Car.

. / p. ~ F..
Toxic, February 11.--The follow
ing is the text of the imperial re-
script declaring war against Russia,
which was issued in japan yester-
day
eve, by the grace of heaven, en-
peror of Japan, seated on the throne
occupied by the same dynasty since
time immemorial, hereby make
proclamation to all our loyal and
brave subjects as follows:
owe hereby declare war against
Russia, and we command our army
and navy to carry on hostilities
against her In obedience to their
duty, with all their strength, and we
also command all our competent au-
thorities to make every effort in pur-
suance of their duties to maintain the
national army with all the means
within the limits of the law of ma
tions.
owe have always deemed it es-
sential in international relations, and
have made it our constant aim, to
promote the pacific progress of our
empire and civilization, to strengthen
our friendly ties with other States,
and to establish a state of things
which would maintain enduring
peace in the far East and assure the
future security of our dominions
without injury to the rights or in
terests of other powers. Our COM
petent authorities have also per-
formed their duties in obedience to
our will 80 that our relations with
all the powers had been steadily
growing in cordiality. 1t was thus
entirely against our expectation
that we have unhapy ly come to
open hostilities against Russia.
"The integrity of Korea is a matter
of the gravest concern to this empire,
not only because of our traditional
relations with that country, but be-
cause the separate existence of Korea
is essential to the safety of our realm
Nevertheless, Russia, in disregard to
her solemn treaty pledges 10 China
and her repeated assurances to other
powers, is still in occupation of Man
churia, has consolidated and strength
ened her hold on those provinces, and
is bent upon their final annexation.
And since the absorption of Man
churia by Russia would render it i'm.
possible to maintain the integrity OF
China, and would, in addition, compel
the abandonment of all hope of peace
in the far East, we were determined
in those circumstances to settle the
question by negotiations, and to sc.
cure permanent place. With that
object in view our competent authori.
ties, by our order, made proposals to
Russia, and frequent conferences
were held during the last six months.
Russia, however, never met such pro.
posals in spirit of Cancellation, but
by wanton delays put of settle
ment of the serious questions and by
ostensibly advocating peace on one
hand, while on the other extending
her navel and military preparations,
sought to accomplish her own selfish
designs. We cannot in the least
admit that Russia had from the first
any serious or genuine desire for
peace. She rejected the proposal of
our government. The safety OF
Korea was in danger and the inter-
ests of our empire menaced.
"The guarantees for the future.
which we failed to secure by peace.
full negotiations, can now only be
obtained by an appeal to arms.
cit is our earnest wish that by the
loyalty and valor of our faithful sub
jects, peace may soon be permanently
restored and the glory of our empire
preserved"