any, and the
empire was reaching out for every possible means of defense and
aggression, was to ask Japan for assistance under the terms of this
alliance. And Japan did not hesitate--she threw herself vigorously
into the Great War. The Japanese Emperor in his declaration of war
against Germany did not suggest that Japan acted in response to her
ally's direct request for assistance, but the Japanese Foreign
Minister, Baron Kato, in his speech explaining the situation to the
Diet, laid emphasis upon the treaty as the most important factor in
the situation.

"German warships and armed vessels," said the foreign minister, "are
prowling around the seas of eastern Asia, menacing our commerce and
that of our ally, while Kiao-chau was carrying out operations
apparently for the purpose of constituting a base for warlike
operations in eastern Asia. Grave anxiety was thus felt for the
maintenance of peace in the Far East.

"As all are aware," he continued, "the agreement and alliance between
Japan and Great Britain has for its object the consolidation and
maintenance of general peace in eastern Asia, and the maintenance of
the independence and integrity of China, as well as the principle of
equal opportunities for commerce and industry for all nations in that
country, and the maintenance and defense respectively of territorial
rights and special interests of contracting parties in eastern Asia.
Therefore, inasmuch as we are asked by our ally for assistance at a
time when commerce in eastern Asia, which Japan and Great Britain
regard alike as one of their special interests, is subjected to a
constant menace, Japan, who regards that alliance as a guiding
principle of her foreign policy, could not but comply to the respect
to do her part."

The Japanese statesman offered this explanation to his people:
"Germany's possession of a base for powerful activities in one corner
of the Far East was not only a serious obstacle to the maintenance of
a permanent peace, but also threatened the immediate interests of the
Japanese Empire. The Japanese Government, therefore, resolved to
comply with the British request, and, if necessary, to open
hostilities against Germany."

Baron Kato's speech was delivered after Japan had declared war. The
Western world, when it found time to turn its attention from the
absorbing drama already being enacted in Belgium to the minor crisis
in the Far East, was not left long in doubt regarding the intentions