The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-10
HOW LAPS DECIDED
 ID SEND UL.T!MhTuM ID KAISER WILHELM
Decision Reached After Much Discussion 4Among Statesmen Mobilizing
 Troops Everywhere

1salSio August Is.-tCorrespondenee sion fo send ultimntum to Ger many and thus extend the theatre of war from Europe to Asia was reached only after some discussion among Jap- snese statesmen.
 It was the genro or elder statesmen who first opposed Japans participation. Extensive negotiations were necessary also between Great Britain and Japan before an accord was reached as to the sphere of Japan's action and the exact programme Japan was to carry out in the fulfilment of her alliance with England
 As soon as war was declared between England and Germany, Japan mobilized her fleet and soon after that several erny corps were ordered in readiness for quick mobilization The third Japanese squadron, located at Shanghai, was re- inforced by several warships from the home fleet and q patrol was established in the historic straits of Tsushima.
 A flying squadron of seven rruisers was organized at Yokosuka with Prince Fus- himi in command, while the battleship squadron at Sasebo Was increased to eight big gun ships, including the dread naught Kongo and new dreadnaught Hiyeti.
 Feel War Results
 Meantime Japan began to feel heavily the results of the war. shipping was tied up and as many as hundred steam CTS of different nationalities were unable to leave port. Foreign commercial ex- change practically ceased between Japan and China and Japan and Europe, bring ing business to standstill. Business with America was greatly Affected
 All this time active negotiations were going on between Japan and England. Suddenly, on August H., when everybody in Japan had been prepared for com uaunication from the government regard ing her participation in tue hostilities, d halt came in the general activities
 This was explained as due first to a hitch in the negotiations between Japan and England concerning the scope of Ja- pan's action and being also due to Great Britain desire to calm fears 1nat might exist in China and in America that Japan had any designs upon the integrity of China. Great Britain was desirious that the world should not imagine that, with the entrance of Japan into the conflict, a violent and 1imitless war was to be carried on in the Pacific ocean.
 Some discussion, it is said also was held upon the question of Japan's status in the peace congress of Europe to be held after the conclusion of the war.
 Another important factor in the situa- tion was that the Japanese themselves were not in harmony as to Japan's atti- tude but after a series of deliberations they reached unanmity. Something of a furry was caused in Tokio by a rumor that the United States had sent a com munication to Japant either requesting some assurance as to the integrity oi China or paving the way for interven- tion by the Jnited States. Officials were kept busy denying such ruinors, but these reports gave an opportunity to some sen sational newspapers to say things against the United States and voice anger al amerieas reported attitude This has en- tirely passed.
 Troops Being Mobilized
 AS this correspondence is leaving troops are being mobilized in different parts ol the emIire, including four regiments ol artillery at Tokio A fleet of transports is waiting at Moji- to convey Japan s army to the shores of China. 1t is not im- probable that an army corps will nov. down towards Kiauchau from Manchu.
 Japanese do not regard the reduction of Kiauchau as an easy matter They dc not, of course, give it anything of the same importance as they attached to Fort Arthur. but they realize that during the long delay the Germans have strongly fortified the port of Tsingtau They knew that the Germans have dismantled sev- era1 warships and have placed several big guns on the heights of the two arms of kiauchau bay.
 They know, too, that the harbor has been thoroughly mined and that amlnun- ton enough has reached kiauehau U enable the Germans to endure a long siege. As one man put it: Each day that we delay in moving on Tsingtau means a sacrifice of 300 additional lives "