Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-05
BARON KATO GIVES
CAUSES Of JAPAN'S
WAR ON GERMANY
Addresses Diet Today Review
ing Events Leading Up to
ultimatum.
SAYS BRITAIN ASKED AID
UNDER EXISTING TREATY
Grave Anxiety Felt for Maintenance
of Peace in Far East, Foreign
Minister Declares.
TRIBUTE IS PAID TO U. S.
Courtesy of American Government
in Connection With Present Trou-
BILE Appreciated, He Adds-Ex-
traordinary Budget
Asked.
SAYS BRITAIN ASKED AID
UNDER EXISTING TREATY
TRIBUTE IS PAID TO U. S.


traordinary Budget
Asked
TOXIC. September Barron kato.
minister of foreign affairs, reviewed at
length at the opening of the diet today
the events leading up to the war with
Germany He said that early in August
England asked Japans assistance, and
that Japan necessarily complied After
full and frank exchange of views
Japan advised the Germans of the jap
anese -ultimatum which was unanswered
and war was declared"
Baron Kato closed his speech with a
tribute to the United States government.
ITO the American government for the
courtesy which it has been good enough
to extend to Japan in connection with
the present trouble he said. land for
the protection of Japan's subjects and
interests il Germany and Austria, ! de-
sire 10 express the sincere appreciation
of the imperial government
The statement to the diet by Baron
Hato follows
Britain Sought Japan's Aid.
Early in August the British govern
mint asked the imperial government for
assistance under the terms of the Anglo
japanese alliance. German men-of-war
ami other armed vessels we're prowling
the seas of Eastern Asia, menacing our
commerce and that of our ally while
kiaochow was, being made ready appar-
entity for the purpose of constituting a
base for warlike operations in esatern
Asia. Grave anxiety was thus felt as to
the maintenance of peace in the far east
AS all are aware of the agreement. the
alliance between Japan and Great Britain
has for its object the maintenance Of
general peace in eastern Asia. insuring
the independence and integrity of China
well as the principle of equal opportu-
mites for commerce and industry OF all
nations in that country, and for the
maintenance and defense respectively of
the territorial rights and special inter.
ests Of the contracting parties.
Therefore, inasmuch as she was asked
by her ally for assistance at a time when
the commerce of eastern Asia which
Japan and Great Britain regarded alike
when one of their special interests was
subjected to constant menace, Japan,
which regards that alliance as the guild
ing principle of her foreign policy, could
not but comply with the request to do
her part
Serious Obstacles to Peace.
"Germany's possession Of a base for
powerful activities in one corner of the
far east was not only serious obsta-
Gle to the maintenance Of permanent
peace, but it also confiicted with the
immediate interests of the Japanese
empire. Baron Kato< explained
The Japanese government" he con-
tinued- therefore resolved to comply
with the British request. and If neces-
sary to open hostilities against Ger
many. After imperial sanction had been
obtained resolution was commune
Gated to the British government and a
full and frank exchange of views be-
tween the two governments followed.
II was finally agreed between them to
take such action as was necessary to
protect their general interests as con-
templated by the agreement of their
alliance Japan had no desire or in
clination to become involved in the
ponucai conflict. only believing that
she owed to herself to be faithful to
Ter alliance and strengthen it's foun-
dattou by insuring permanent peace in
the east and protecting the special in
forests of the two allied powers
desiring, however. to solve the sit
uat!on by pacific means the imperial
government August Is gave the fol-
lo wing advice to the German govern
merit:
tHere Baron Kato read the text of
the ultirnatum communicated to Ger
many on that date.)
No Answer From GERMANY.
Until the last moment of the time
allowed August % the imperial gov
ernment received no answer, and thus
the imperial rescript declaring war was
issued the next day."
Baron Kato referred briefly to AUS
tria-Hungary, which had. he said, only
very limited interests in the far east
and with which Japan desired to main
tain peaceful relations as long as pos
sibie. At the same time it appeared
as If Austria Hungary also desired to
avoid complications. 1t was fact, he
said. that as soon as Japan and Ger
many entered into d state of war the
Austro- Hungarian government asked
for consent of the good offices of the
imperial government permitting the
kaiserin Elizabeth. her only man-of.
war in the far east likely to force 3
state of war, to go to Shanghai anG
there dlsarm. Continuing, Baron Kate
said:
IT was about to communicate to the
AUSTRIAN ambassador the fact tina
no objection to the disarming of the
Kaiserin, when suddenly August 81
the ambassador informed me that il
consideration of Japans action agains
Germany his government had instruct
cd him to leave his post and break
OF Diplomatic relations.
Appreciates Courtesy Of q. S.
When the relations between Japan ant
Germany reached the point of ruptur,
the imperial government asked the Amer
lean government II the case demanded
would she be good enough to undertak,
the protection of Japanese subjects AM
their interests in Germany. This rerues
the American government promptly com
piled with. and subsequently. upon tn.
rupture of diplomatic relations betwee,
Japan and Austria-Hungary the imperia
government again appealed to the Ameri
can government for the protection O
Japanese subjects and interests in Aus
tria-fiungary. The American govern
nent gave the same willing consent.
desire to avail myself of this opportunit,
to give expression of the sincere appreci
alton on the part of the imperial govern
ment of the courtesy SO kindly extende,
by the American government"
Baron Kato said. in conclusion:
While regretting that Japan is com
PEELED TO take up arms against Germany
am happy in the belief that the arm
and navy Of our Industrious sovereign Wi
rot fail to show the same loyalty an
vaior with which they have distinguishe
themselves in the past. SO that all ma