Japan declares war on Germany 1914

Proclamation of war on Germany, noon, August 23, 1914. (Official Japanese document)

No.1 - The Imperial rescript issued at Tokyo, Sunday 23 August 1914, 6 P.M.

We, by the grace of heaven, Emperor of Japan, seated on the throne immerial, do hereby by make the following proclamation to all our loyal and brave subjects;

We hereby declares war on Germany, and we command our army and Navy to carry on hostilities on that Empire with all their strength, and we also command and all our competent authorities to make every effect, in pursance of their respective duties in attain the national aim by all means within the limits of the law of nations.

Since the outbreak of the present war in Europe, calamitous effect of which we view with grave concern, we on our part have entertained hopes of preserving peace of the Far East by the point enace of strict neutrality, but the action of Germany has at length compelled Great Britain, our ally, to open hostilities on that country, and Germany is at Kiaochou, its leased territory in China, busy with warlike preparations, while its armee vessels cruising seas of Eastern Asia are threatening our commerce and that of our ally. Peace of the Far East is thus jeopardy.

According, our Government and that of His Britainnic Majesty, after full and frank communication with each other, agreed to take such measures as may be be necessary for the protection of the general interests comptemplated in the agreement of alliance and we an our part being desirous to attain that object by peaceful means commended our Government to offer with sincerely an advise to the Imperial German Government. By the last day appointed for the purpose, however, our Government failed to receive an answer accept their advice. It is with profound regret that we, in spite of our ardent devotion to the cause of peace, are thus compelled to declares war, especially at this period of our reign and while we are still in mourning for our lamented mother.

It is our earnst wish that by the loyalty and valor of our faithful subjects peace may soon be restored and the glory of the Empire be enhanced.

Trivia

 * The Imperial Government of Japan made known to the Government of the Republic, on August 23, 1914, that the council addressed by the Imperial Government to the German Government on the 15th of this month, having remaind without reply. Japan is in the state of war on Germany from noon, August 23, 1914. Journ Off. August 26, 1914 P.7074