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JAPAN BY THE JAPANESE

shall be devoted to supplement the fund for building men-of-war.

We regard Our Cabinet and Our Diet as the machinery of constitutional government, and We trust that each will be careful to observe the due limitations of its powers, so as to assist Us in this great undertaking, and contrive to secure successful achievement.

Imperial Address relating to Official Discipline (December 24, 1893).

We have read the address which the House of Representatives presented to Us on the 4th of the present month, as well as the memorial submitted to Us by Count Hirobumi Ito, Our Minister President of State, and Count Goto Shojiro, Our Minister of State for Agriculture and Commerce.

It is needless to tell you that the functionaries of the Department of State for Agriculture and Commerce ought to be cautious and discreet in their contact with the people. It is Our pleasure that the Minister of that Department of State should use his endeavours to maintain strict discipline among his subordinates.

As to the appointment and dismissal of Our Ministers of State, it rests entirely with Our pleasure, and no interference can be allowed on the part of anyone else.

The condition of things in the outside world urgently calls for greater progress on the part of Our country. At a critical juncture like the present, it would be a source of exceeding regret to Us should anything be suffered to impede the course of Our enlightened and progressive policy. It is therefore Our wish that you should spare no exertion to assist Us in the fulfilment of Our mission.

Imperial Rescript declaring War against China (August 1, 1894).

We, by the grace of Heaven, the Emperor of Japan, seated on a Throne occupied by the same dynasty from time immemorial, do hereby make proclamation to all Our loyal and brave subjects as follows:

We hereby declare war against China, and We command each and all of Our competent authorities, in obedience to Our wish, and with a view to the attainment of the national aim, to carry on hostilities by sea and by land against China, with all the means at their disposal, consistently with the law of nations.

During the last three decades of Our reign, Our constant aim has been to further the peaceful progress of Our country in civilization; and being sensible of the evils inseparable from

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