Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1914-08-26
JAPAN IS NOW At
WAR WITH GERMANY:
WILL SHELL TOWN
Mikad0 Opens HOStiities to
Seize Kiauchau.
U. S. NOTIFIED BY ENVOY
Ambassador Chinda Gives State De-
Partment Copy of Declaration
Fleet and Army Ready to
Storm China City.

Tokyo, Aug. 24.-Japan's fleet began
operations against Kiauchau immedi-
ately following the Japanese imperial
| governments declaration of war
against Germany. simultaneously an
eXpeditionary land force was sent
aboard transports for the purpose of
attacking Kiauchau from the rear.
The German ambassador was hand
ed his passports and will board an
American vessel in this port next
Thursday.
Official Japanese circles estimate
that three months will be required to
reduce Tsingtau, the fertilization
guarding the entrance to Kiauchau.
The German garrison is reported to
be fully provisioned for a siege endur-
ing eight months.
China Notifies United States.
Washington, Aug. 24.-Japah's dec
laration of war against Germany,
which was proclaimed in Tokyo was
delivered to Counselor Lansing of the
state department by Baron Chinda, the
Japanese ambassador
1t was assumed at the Japanese en-
bassy here that the Japanese navy be
gan its attack on Tsingtau, the great
German fortress commanding the
Kiauchau leasehold, Immediately upon
the issuance of the declaration of
war.
The engagement is expected to be
oh mi oil toin CT fO,
some days, if not weeks, since Using
tau is said to be as strongly fortified
as was Port Arthur before it's capture
by the Japanese. The Japanese en-
bassy reported that at a conference
of the Japanese cabinet, the privy
| council and the high officers of the
army and navy, it was decided to con-
fine operations to that section of China
east of the Yellow river.
American ENJOYS in Charge.
Charge dAffaires Won Heimhausen
of the German embassy here an
nounced that German diplomatic af-
fairs in japan will be left in charge of
America. Ambassador Guthrie and
that German interests throughout the
Niponese dominions will be cared for
during the war by American consuls.
Japanese interests in Germany are
in the hands of American Ambassador
Gerard and the other diplomatic and
consular representatives of the United
States in that country.
A message from Rotterdam says the
Japanese ambassador at Berlin was
handed his passports and plans to
leave Germany at once.
The formal declaration of war fol-
lowed Germany's refusal to reply to
an ultimatum demanding the evacua-
ton of Kiauchau, territory which Ger
many holds under lease from China on
the Yellow sea. Japan also demanded
that Germany withdraw entirely from
the far East.
Text of War Declaration.
The declaration of war bears the
title imperial rescript' and reads as
follows:
1--WE, by the grace of heaven, emperor
of Japan, seated on the throne occu-
pied by the same dynasty from time
immemorial, do hereby make the fol-
lowing proclamation to all our loyal
and brave subjects:
I'VE hereby declare war against Ger
many, and we command our army and
navy to carry on hostilities against
that empire with all their strength,
and we also command all our compe-
tent authorities to make every effort
in pursuance of their respective duties
to attain the national aim by all means
within the limits of the law of nations.
Since the outbreak of the present
war in Europe the calamitous effects
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 neutral
ity, but the action of Germany has at
length compelled Great Britain, our
ally, to open hostilities against that
country and Germany is at Kiauchau,
it's leased territory in China, busy with
warlike preparations, while it's 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.
LOW ROUND TRIP FARES NOW
mo nTTT mr.