The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-08-29
JAPANESE ENTER
WAR OF NATIONS
KAISER IGNORED ULTIMATUM
AND DECLARATION OF
WAR FOLLOWED.
Western Newspaper Union New, Service.

| western Newspaper Union News Service.
Tokic.-The emperor of Japan Sun
day declared war on Germany. Thi.
action was taken at the expiration o
the time limit of Japan's ultimatun
to Germany demanding the surrender
OF Kiau Chow.
The proclamation of the emperor
sent a thrill through the country
Japan's entrance upon the fulfillmen
of her obligations to- her ally, Great
Britain. responds to the popular spirit
from one end of the country to the
other. Cheering crowds assembled
before public buildings and there were
lantern professions through the
streets. The popular manifestations
however, do not approach the enthu
siasm which preceded the war with
Russia.
Count Won Rex, the German ambas
sador, has been handed his passports
He probably will leave for America
Geo. W. Guthrie, the American ambas
sador, will represent Germany. The
Diet has been convoked in special ses-
sion for September 3.
1t is reported here that Germany has
been trying to transfer the German
railroad in Shan Tung to America.
Toxic believes, however. that the Uni
ted States, pursuing the policy of neu-
trality outlined by President Wilson,
will not accept. President Wilson's
announcement of neutrality has great
ly pleased the Japanese.
The text of the imperial rescript is:
Issued at Toxic, August %, 6 p. m.
I've, by the grace of heaven, en-
peror Of Japan, seated on the throne
occupied by the same dynasty from
time immemorial, de hereby make the
following proclamation to all our loyal
and brave subjects:
1--WE hereby declare war against
Germany, and we command our army
and navy to carry on hostilities against
that empire with their strength, and
we also command all our competent au-
thorities to make every effort, in pur-
suance for their respective duties, to
attain the national aim by all means
within the limits of the law of ma
tions.
Since the outbreak of the present
war in Europe, the calamitous effort 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
neutrality, but the action o. Germany
has compelled Great Britain, our ally,
to open hostilities against that coun-
try, and Germany is at Kiao Chow. its
leased territory in China, busy with
warlike preparations, while its armed
vessels cruising the seas of Eastern
Asia are threatening our commerce
and that of our ally. Peace of the
Far East is thus in jeopardy.
Accordingly, Our. government and
that of his Brittanic majesty, after a
full and frank communication with
each other, agreed to take such meas
ures as may be necessary for the pro-
lection Of the general interests, con-
in the agreement of alliance
and We, on our part, being desirous to
attain that object by peaceful means,
our government to offer
with sincerity an advice to the impe-
rial German government. BY the last
day appointed for the purpose, how.
ever, our government failed to re-
ceive an answer accepting their ad
vices. 1t is with profound regret that
we, in spite of our urgent devotion to
the cause of peace, thus are compelled
to declare war, especially at this early
period of our reign and while we still
are in mourning for our lamented
mother.
1T is our earnest wish that by the
loyalty and valor of our faithful sub
jects, peace may soon be restored and
the glory of the empire be enhanced"
The newspapers express surprise at
the extent of American suspicious re-
garding Japan's motives in issuing the
but leading writers express
4 firm confidence that a better under
standing may be had with the people
,f America.