The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-02-17
THE MIkHDO'S PLEA.
Formal Declaration Of Hostilities at
Tokyo Gives Japan's Reason
for the Clash.
WANToN DELAYS ARE CLAIMED.

The following is the text of the i'm
peiial rescript declaring war against
Russia, which was issued in Japan
yesterday:
We, by the grace of heaven, emper.
or of japan, seated on the throne oc-
cupied by the same dynasty since time
immemorlal. hereby make proclama.
tion to all our loyal and brave subjects
as follows:
We hereby declare war against Rus
sia. 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 com.
mand all our competent authorities to
make every effort. in pursuance of
thsir duties, to attain the national aim
with all the means within the limits
OF the law of nations.
We have always deemed It essen
tial in international relations, and
have made 1t our constant aim, to pro.
mote the pacific progress of our em-
pire in civilization, to strengthen our
friendly ties with other states and to
establish state of things which would
east, and assure the future security
OF our dominion without injury to the
rights or interests of other powers.
Our competent authorities have also
performed their duties in obedience to
our will. so that our relations with all
the powers had been steadily growing
In COrGiality,
It was thus entirely against our ex-
pectation that we have unhappily
come to open hostilties against Rus
sla. The integrity of Korea Is a mat.
ter Of the gravGst concern to this en-
.ire, not only because Of our tradition
al relations with that country but be-
cause the separate existence of Korea
is essential to the safety of our realm.
Nevertheless Russia, in disregard of
her solemn treaty pledges to China
and her repeated assurance to other
powers, is still in occupation of Man
churia and is bent on final annexa.
t!on.
And, since the absorption of Man
churia By Russia would render impos-
siD,e 10 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 secure
thereby permanent peace. With that
object in view, our compstent authori.
ties by cur order made proposals to
Russia, and frequent confe. ences were
held during the last six months.
Russia. however, never met such
proposals IN spirit of Cancellation,
bur by waRton delays put off set
tlement OF tie serious questions, and
by ostansibly advocating reace on one
hand, while on the other extending
her naval and military preparations,
sought to accomplish her own selfish
designs. We cannot in the least ad-
nit that Russia had from the first any
serious or genuine desire for peace.
She rejected the proposals of our gov
crnment, The safety of Korea was in
danger and the interests Of our EN-.
pire were msnaced. The guarantees
for the future which We failed to Sc
cure by peaceful negotiations can now
only be obtained by an appeal TO arms.
1t is our earnest wish that by the
loyalty and valor of ON faithful sub
jects peace may soon be permanently
restored and the glory Of our empire
preserved.