The Sentinel=record., 1914-09-10
POSITION
 OF JAPAN
IS EXPLAINED IN AN OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION TO THE ASSO. GATED PRESS DIRECT FROM TOXIC.

TokiO, Aug. 1S.--Japan's decision to send an ultimatum to Germany and | thus extend the theater of war from Europe to Asia was reached only after some discussion among Japan. csc statesmen. ~,
 It was the genro, or elder states men, who first opposed Japans par , ticipation. Extensive negotiations were necessary also between Great Britain and Japan before an accord i was reached as to the sphere of Japan's action and the exact program Japan was to carry out in the fulfill ment of her alliance with England. ] As soon as war was was declared between England and Germany, Japan mObilized her feet, and soon after that several army corps were or dered in readiness for quick mobiliza- ton. The third Japanese squadron. located at Shanghai, was reinforced by several warships from the home fleet and a patrol was established Ill the historic straits of Tsushima. A flying squadron of seven cruisers was organized at Yokosuka, with 1 Prince Fushimi in command, while the battleship squadron at Sasebo was increased to eight big gun ships, including the dreadnought Kongo an1 the new dreadnought Hiyei.
 Meatlme Japan began to feel heavily the results of the war. Ship ping was tied up and as many as d hundred steamers ot different nation alities were unable to Ieave port. Foreign commercial exchange prac- tically ceased between Japan and China and Japan and Europe, bring ing business to a standstill. Business with America was greatly affected.
 All this time active negotiations were going on between Japan and England. Suddenly on August II, when everybody in Japan had been prepared for communication from the government regarding her partici- patton in the hostilities, a hat came in the general activities.
 This was explained as due first to a hitch n the negotiations between Japan and England concerning the scope of Japan's action and being also due to Great Britain's desire 0 calm fears that might exist in China and in America that Japan had any designs on the integrity of China. Great Britain was desirous that the world should not imagine that with the entrance of Japan into the con flict a violent and limitless 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 Flu rope to be held after the conclusion of the war.
 Another important factor in the sit uation was that Japanese themselves were not in harmony as to Japan's at titude, but after a series of delibera- tions they reached unanmity Some thing of a furry was caused in Toho by a rumor that the United States had sent a communication to Japan either requesting some assurance as to the integrity Of China or paving the way for intervention by the United States. Officials were kept busy denying such rumors but these reports gave an opportunity to some sensational newspapers to say things against the United States and voice anger at America's attitude. This has entirely passed. As this correspond- ence is leaving troops are being mo- bilized in different parts of the em- pire, including four regiments of ar tilery at Tokio. A fleet of transports is waiting at Moji to convey Japan 5 army to the shores of China. It is not probable that an army corps will move down towards Kiao Chow from Manchuria.
 Japanese do not regard the reddc- tion of Kiao Chow as an easy matter. ! They do not, of course, give it any thing of the same importance as they attached to Port Arthur, but they realize that during the long delay the | Germans have strongly fortified the port of Tsing Tau. They knew that the Germans have dismantled yyeral warships and have placed several big guns on the heights of the two arms of Kiao Chow bay.
 They know, too, that the harbor has been thoroughly mined and that am