e measures to remove the
causes of all disturbances of the peace in the Far East, and to
safeguard the general interests as contemplated by the agreement of
alliance between Japan and Great Britain.

"In order to secure a firm and enduring peace in eastern Asia, the
establishment of which is the aid of the said agreement, the
Imperial Japanese Government sincerely believes it to be its duty to
give the advice to the Imperial German Government to carry out the
following two propositions:

"First. To withdraw immediately from Japanese and Chinese waters
German men-of-war and armed vessels of all kinds, and to disarm at
once those which cannot be so withdrawn.

"Second. To deliver on a date not later than September 15 to the
Imperial Japanese authorities, without condition or compensation,
the entire leased territory of Kiao-chau, with a view to the
eventual restoration of the same to China.

"The Imperial Japanese Government announces at the same time that in
the event of its not receiving by noon on August 23, 1914, an answer
from the Imperial German Government, signifying its unconditional
acceptance of the above advice offered by the Imperial Japanese
Government, Japan will be compelled to take such action as she may
deem necessary to meet the situation."

The time limit set for the German reply came and passed with no
official communication with Berlin. Consequently the Japanese
Government declared war in the following proclamation:

"Issued at Tokyo, August 23, 1914, at 6 p. m.

"We, by the Grace of Heaven, Emperor of Japan, seated on the throne
occupied by the same dynasty from time immemorial, do hereby make
the following proclamation to all our loyal and brave subjects:

"We hereby declare war against Germany, and we command our army and
navy to carry on hostilities against that empire with all strength,
and we also command our competent 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
effect 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 neutrality, but the action of Germany has at
length compelled Great Britain, our ally, to open hostilities
against that country, and Germany is at Kiao-chau, its leased
territory in China, busy with war