The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-02-12
.JAPAN'S WAR DECLARATION
4 CLEAR AND CONCISE STATE
 MENT FROM THE THRONE.
Peaceful Effort. to ss.u. Trouble Having Failed It is Hoped That by the Loyalty and vaIor ofthe People Pea Q May be Permanently Rsstored-Ru Russ... Accussd of seinahness.


 Tokio, Feb. 11.1-The following is the text of the imperial rescript declaring war against Russia, which was issued in Japan yesterday:
 "We, by the grace of heaven, Elm peror of Japan, seated on the throne occupied by the same dynasty since time immemorial, hereby make procla- nation to all our loyal and brave sub jects 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 command all our competent authorities to make every effort, in pursuance of their du- ties to attain the national aim with all the means within the limits of the law of nations.
 We have always deemed it essential fin international relations and have made it our constant aim to promote the pacific progress of our empire in civili- zation, to strengthen our friendly ties
 
 state of things which would maintain enduring peace in the far east, and as sure the future security of our dominion without injury to the rights or interests of other powers. Our competent au- thorities have also performed their du- ties in obedience to our will, so that our relations with all the powers had been steadily growing in cordiality. It was thus entirely against our expecta- ton that we have unhappily come to open hostilities against Russia. The in- tegrity of Corea Is matter of the gray est concern to this efpire, not only be- cause of our traditional relations with that country; but, because the separate existence of Corea is essential to the safety of our realm. Nevertheless, Russia, in disregard of her solemn treaty pledges to China and her repeat ed assurances to other powers, is still 1 in occupation of Manchuria, has con solidated and strengthened her hold on those provinces and is bent upon their final annexation. And, since the ab- sorption of Manchuria by Russia would render it impossible to maintain the in- tegrity of China and would, in addition, compel the abandonment of all hope of peace in the far east. we were deter mined in these circumstances to settle the question by negotiations and to se- cure thereby permanent peace. With that object in view our compteent au- thorities by our order made proposals 1 to Russia and frequent conferences were held during the last six months. Russia, however, never met such pro- posals in a spirit of conciliation but by wanton delays put off settlement of l the serious questions and by ostensibly advocating peace on one hand while on the other extending her naval and mili- tary preparations, sought to accomplish her own selfish designs. We cannot in the least admit Russia had from the | first any serious or genuine desire for peace. She rejected the proposals of our government. The safety of Corea was in danger and the interests of our empire were menaced. The guarantees for the future which we failed to secure by peaceful negotiation can now only be obtained by an appeal to arms.
 Tt is our earnest wish that by the 1 loyalty and valor of our faithful sub 1 jects peace may soon be permanently restored an dthe glory of our empire preserved"