Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-09-05
BARON PAYS TRIBUTE
|. TO j. S. government
Tells of England's Request For AS
sistauce Made Early
in August

Toxic. Sent 5.-At the opening Of
the diet to-day Premier Okuma, speak
ing before that body. said regarding
the war with Germany that he be-
lieved the world thoroughly under
stood the reasons leading thereto. He
asked the support of the houses and
said the army and navy were doing
their full duty.
The government is submitting an
extraordinary budget for their ap-
proval and support.
Baron Kato, minister of foreign
affairs. reviewed at length the events
leading up to the war with Germany.
He said that early in August England
asked Japan's assistance and that
Japan necessarily complied After a
full and frank exchange of views
Japan advised the Germans of the
Jaranese "ultimatum. which was un-
answered. and war was declared.
Baron Kato closed his speech with
a tribute to the United States govern
ment.
ITO the American government for
the courtesy which it has been good
enough to extend to Japan in conneC-
tion with the present trouble. he said,
"and for the protection of Japan's
subjects and interests in Germany and
Austria. | desire to express the sincere
appreciation of the imperial govern
ment."
Baron's Statement
The statement to the diet made to-
day by Baron Kato. minister of for
eign affairs is as follows:
EARLY in August the British gov
ernmcnt asked the imperial govern
ment for assistance under the terms
of the Anglo-Japanese alliance. Ger
man men DIVA and other armed YES
sells ere prowling the seas of Eastern
Asia, menacing our commerce and
that of our ally. hwile Kiao-Chow was
being made ready. apparently, for the
purpose of constituting base for war
like operations in Eastern Asia. Grave
anxiety was thus felt as to the main
tenanCe of peace in the Far East.
LAS all are aware of the agreement
the alliance between Japan and Great
Britain has for its object the main
| tenance Of general peace in Eastern
Asia. insurinG the independence and
| integrity of China, as well as the prin.
] ciple of equal opportunities for com
merec and industry of all nations IN
/ that country, and for the maintenance
and defense. respectively, of the terri
| torial rights and special interests OF
| the contracting parties.
! Complied With Request
Therefore. inasmuch as she was
asked by her ally for assistance at q
| time when the commerce of Eastern
! Asia, which Japan and Great Britain
| regarded alike when one OF thel
! special interests was subjected to con.
/ stant menace. Japan, which regards
! that alliance rs the guiding principle
/ of her foreign policy, could not but
! comply with the request To do hcl
! part.
! "GcrmanN's nossession of base foI
! nowerful activities in one corner of IN,
! Far East was not only a serious oh.
| staCle to the maintenance Of perma
| nent peace. but II also confictcd with
I the immediate interests of the Japa,
nos" empire" Baron Hato explained.
| The japanese government" he con,
J tinucd. therefore resolved 10 comply
/ with the British request and N neces,
sary to open hostllltles against Ger,
many. After imperial sanction had
| been obtained resolution was com,
! municated to tho British government
and full and frank exchange of view,
between the two governments fol
| lowed II was finally agreed between
| them To take such hnction MS was
| necessary to nrotcct their general In.
terests as contemplated hv the agree
meL' of their alliance Japan had nc
| desire or inclination To become in
/ volved In the conflict. only belieVinl
| she owed II 20 herself 70 he faithful tc
| her alliance and strengthen its foun-
dation hv insurinE permanent neace IN
| tho Enst and protecting tho specia
| Interests ~ tho two allied mowers
| Desiring. however. 20 solve the sit
| untion nv pacinc means. the imperial
| government on August I 3 gave the fol.
| lowing advice 10 the German govern,
ment (here Baron Kato read the tex