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JAPAN BY THE JAPANESE

Our wish is to promote the prestige of this country by strictly peaceful methods, We find it impossible to avoid a formal declaration of war against China. It is Our earnest wish that, by the loyalty and valour of Our faithful subjects, peace may be soon permanently restored, and the glory of the empire be augmented and completed.

Imperial Rescript concerning Volunteer Troops (August 4, 1894).

We, relying on the glorious spirits of Our ancestors and the co-operation of Our subjects, and through the instrumentality of Our loyal and gallant land and naval forces, are determined to preserve the dignity and prestige of Our realm.

We know that it is on account of loyalty and patriotism that Our subjects in various localities are undertaking to organize volunteer corps. But deeming, as We do, that there are fixed institutions in the country, as well as fixed avocations for the people, it is Our desire that, except in case of requiring extraordinary recourse to their services, Our subjects should continue industriously to pursue their accustomed vocations, so as to promote the industrial development of the realm and to cultivate the national resources. At present We do not deem that there is any need of volunteer troops, and We enjoin local Governors to instruct the people concerning Our wishes.

Imperial Rescript on the Great Victory at Phyong-yang (Ping-yang) (September 17, 1894).

We are rejoiced to receive intelligence, immediately after Our arrival at headquarters, that Our army has gained a great victory at Phyong-yang. We appreciate the ability shown by Our officers and soldiers, and applaud the signal success they have achieved.

Imperial Message to the Diet (December 24, 1894).

We hereby formally open the Imperial Diet.

We have commanded Our Ministers of State to lay before you the Budget for the 28th fiscal year of Meiji, and other necessary Bills.

Our expeditionary forces have been victorious in every battle, and are steadily advancing into the enemy’s territory. In the face of a severe winter, they have endured bitter cold and suffered privations, and have repeatedly given fresh proofs of their valour.

Our relations with the neutral Powers have become more cordial, and the work of treaty revision, which has long been the object of Our desire, has, apart from the satisfactory result

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