The Oskaloosa herald., 1914-08-27
JAPAN DECLARES
WAR AND CUTS
COMMUNICATIONS
MKAPo, OPENS POSSIBILITIES TO
'*ah'' sIEzE kIAu.cHAU.
U. S. is NOTIFIED BY ENVOY
Ambassador Chinda Gives State De
partment Copy Of Declaration
Fleet and Army Ready to
Storm China City.

claration of war on Germany by the
Emperor of Japan yesterday, all war
news is withheld, excepting the an
nouncement that the japanese have
three fleets at sea. One has been
sent to KiauChau and another to
sweep the seas of German vessels
The Germans in Japan are treated
we'll but all German ships have been
warned to leave Japanese waters by
Sept. %. 1t is reported that Mayor
Waldeck of Kiau-Chau telegraphed
the Japanese if Japan wanted the
town they would have to come and
take it and that he was prepared to
receive the enemy.
Fleet Already in Action.
Tokyo, Aug. 24.-Japan's feet began
operations against Kiauchau immedi.
ately following the Japanese imperial
governments declaration of war
against Germany. simultaneously an
evolutionary land force was sent
aboard transports for the purpose OF
attacking Kiauchau from the rear.
The German ambassador was hand.
ed his passports and will board an
American vessel in this port next
Thursday.
Official Japanese circles estimate
that three months will be required to
reduce Tsingtau, the fortification
guarding the entrance to Kiauchsu
The German garrison is reported to
be fully provisioned for siege endur
ing eight months.
China Notifies United States.
Washington, Aug. 24.-Japans dec
laration Of war against Germany
which was proclaimed in Tokyo was
delivered to Counselor Lansing of tbs
state department by Baron Chinda, the
Japanese ambassador.
1t was assumed at the Japanese EN-
bassy here that the Japanese navy be
gan its attack on Tsingtau, the great
German fortress commanding the
Kiauchau leasehold. Immediately upon
the issuance Of the declaration Of
war.
The engagement Is expected to be
sharply maintained on both sides fol
some days, If not weeks, since Using
tau Is said to be as strongly fortified
as was Port Arthur before it's capture
by the Japanese The Japanese EN-
bassy reported that at conference
of the Japanese cabinet, the priyy
council and the high officers of the
army and navy, it was decided to con
fine operations to that section Of China
east Of the Yellow river.
American ENJOYS In Charge.
Charge d'Affaires Won Heimhauser
Of the German embassy here an
nounced that German diplomatic at
fairs In Japan will be left in charge Of
American Ambassador Guthrie anG
that German interests throughout the
Niponese dominions will be cared fol
during the war by American consuls.
Japanese interests in Germany are
in the hands Of American Ambassador
Gerard and the other diplomatic ant
consular representatives Of the United
States in that country &c..
A message from Rotterdam says the
Japanese ambassador at Berlin waf
handed his passports and plans tc
leave Germany at once.
The formal declaration of war fol
lowed Germany's refusal to reply tc
an ultimatum demanding the eyacua
tion Of Kiauchau, territory which Ger
many holds under lease from China on
the Yellow sea. japan also demanded
that Germany withdraw entirely from
the far East. .
Text Of War Declaration.
The declaration of war bears the
title imperial rescript' and reads as
follows:
I'VE, by the, grace Of heaven, emperor
of Japan, seated on the throne occu
pied by the same dynasty from time
iluulculOildi, w h6Lcuy ndhS TIC IOl
lowing proclamation to all our loyal
and brave subjects:
We hereby declare war against Ger
many, and we command our army and
navy to carry on hostilities against
that empire with all their strength
and We Also command all our ,compe
tent 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 effects
Of, which, we view with grave concern.
we on our part have entertained hopes
OF preserving the peace Of the far East
by the maintenance OF strict neutral
ity, but the action OF, Germany has al
length compelled Great Britain, our
ally, TO open hostilities against that
cquptgy and Germany - at Kisnchaa
Us leased territory Il Chm. busy with