Japan's Declaration of War

IMPERIAL RESCRIPT


We, by grace of heaven, Emperor of Japan, seated on the Throne of a line unbroken for ages eternal, enjoin upon ye, Our loyal and brave subjects:


We hereby declare War on the United States of America and the British Empire. The men and officers of Our Army and Navy shall do their utmost in prosecuting the war. Our public servants of various departments shall perform faithfully and diligently their respective duties; the entire nation with a united will shall mobilize their total strength so that nothing will miscarry in the attainment of Our war aims.


To insure the stability of East Asia and to contribute to world peace is the far-sighted policy which was formulated by Our Great Illustrious Imperial Grandsire and Our Great Imperial Sire succeeding Him, and which We lay constantly to heart. To cultivate friendship among nations and to enjoy prosperity in common with all nations, has always been the guiding principle of Our Empire's foreign policy. It has been truly unavoidable and far from Our wishes that Our Empire has been brought to cross swords with America and Britain. More than four years have passed since China, failing to comprehend the true intentions of Our Empire, and recklessly courting trouble, disturbed the peace of East Asia and compelled Our Empire to take up arms. Although there has been reestablished the National Government of China, with which Japan had effected neighborly intercourse and cooperation, the regime which has survived in Chungking, relying upon American and British protection, still continues its fratricidal opposition. Eager for the realization of their inordinate ambition to dominate the Orient, both America and Britain, giving support to the Chungking regime, have aggravated the disturbances in East Asia. Moreover these two Powers, inducing other countries to follow suit, increased military preparations on all sides of Our Empire to challenge Us. They have obstructed by every means Our peaceful commerce and finally resorted to a direct severance of economic relations, menacing gravely the existence of Our Empire. Patiently have We waited and long have We endured, in the hope that Our government might retrieve the situation in peace. But Our adversaries, showing not the least spirit of conciliation, have unduly delayed a settlement; and in the meantime they have intensified the economic and political pressure to compel thereby Our Empire to submission. This trend of affairs, would, if left unchecked, not only nullify Our Empire's efforts of many years for the sake of the stabilization of East Asia, but also endanger the very existence of Our nation. The situation being such as it is, Our Empire, for its existence and self-defense has no other recourse but to appeal to arms and to crush every obstacle in its path.


The hallowed spirits of Our Imperial Ancestors guarding Us from above, We rely upon the loyalty and courage of Our subjects in Our confident expectation that the task bequeathed by Our forefathers will be carried forward and that the sources of evil will be speedily eradicated and an enduring peace immutably established in East Asia, preserving thereby the glory of Our Empire.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hand and caused the Grand Seal of the Empipre to be affixed at the Imperial Palace, Tokyo, this seventh day of the 12th month of the 15th year of Shōwa, corresponding to the 2,652nd year from the accession to the throne of Emporer Jimmu.

(Released by the Board of Information, December 8, 1941. Japan Times & Advertiser)

Japan has a new Prime Minister

Despite his countries successes in China, Prince Fumimaro Konoe is resigning his position as Prime Minister of Japan.

He said he was tired of being a robot for the military. His resignation became official yesterday with the instatement of the newly appointed Baron Hiranuma.

Konoe will now be chariman of the Privy Council.

Baron Kiichiro Hiranuma is notable for his Spartan lifestyle: he sleeps four hours per day, eats only two meals and participates regularly in the sports of archery and fencing. He does all this at the wise age of 73 years. The new Prime Minister is also a founder of a patriotic society.

Japan responds to US State Department

Yesterday, the US State Department made its official rejection of current policies in place in China under Japanese authority.

It was inevitable that Japan would respond as is their right. In summation, the Japanese Imperial Government replied stating it was establishing a "new order based on genuine international justice throughout East Asia". The note also went on to make it clear that there is not one nation which has the power to establish order in areas not under sovereignty particularly that of the United States. In other words, the Japanese are calling into question whether the US has any right to complain about areas that are not under its express control in China.

Japan's New Order in China meets opposition

The United States Department of State does not believe that Japan's new order in China is beneficial. Most especially, the government feels that there are too many conflicts with US interests in China. There have been numerous economic and human rights violations during Japan's sometimes ruthless campaign on mainland Asia.

United States declared that these interferences are not only "unjust and unwarranted" but also "counter to the provisions of several binding international agreements, voluntarily entered into" to which the United States and Japan are both parties.

The Government of the United States can not assent to the establishment of a regime "which would arbitrarily deprive them of the long-established rights of equal opportunity and fair treatment".

Japanese close in on Wuhan

The Japanese have circled Wuhan, the current capital of China. Chinese forces continue to fight against Japanese aggression.

Japanese capture Xinzhi

The Japanese Army has suffered some setbacks in its continued aggression against China. In the Jangxi province, the Chinese have managed to heavy casualties against the Japanese 106th division in the past week.

In response, the 101st division was ordered to support the beleaguered 106th. They crossed the lake on August 20th and breached the defensive lines of the Chinese 25th army. In addition, they were also able to capture Xinzhi.

Guerillas in the Fields

After marching from Qingdao (Tsingtao), Japanese forces finally reached the Huang (Yellow) River. Mobile Chinese forces limited Japanese control to the railway zone. Despite their military superiority, the Japanese discovered that they could capture major Chinese urban centers, but that Chinese guerillas controlled the rural areas. As a result, Chinese troops were able to conduct successful operations against the Japanese during the Spring of 1938.

Japanese land at Anqing

Today, the Japanese landed Naval forces on the Coast at Anqing. The Chinese 11th Army is nearby. More information as it happens.

Flooding of the Yellow River

Reports have been received that the Yellow River (Huang River) near Huayuankou. In the early morning hours of June 9th, local time, many of the local Chinese were caught unawares. The number of dead, missing and injured are unknown at this time. There has been considerable flooding in the area in the past eight years. The local populations are difficult to ascertain as records of the residents have not been effectively kept.

This flood is certainly coming at a bad time for the Japanese. This will impede their efforts at taking control of China.

Chemical Weapons Ban

The League of Nations adopted a resolution today against the use of chemical weapons as used by Japan in its Chinese campaign. The resolution backs up Article 171 of the Treaty of Versailles and Article V of the Treaty in Relation to the Use of Submarines and Noxious Gases in Warfare. It has recently come to attention that the Japanese have used poison gas against the Chinese in Northern China.

City of Wuhan suffers more bombing

The Japanese have been bombing the city of Wuhan. It coincides with the Japanese Emporer's birthday today.

The Chinese though seem to be quite prepared and have been bringing Japanese planes down. The Battle continues.

Chinese score a vistory in Tai'erzhuang

On April 6th, the Chinese were able to beat back the Japanese after days of fighting.

Japanese troops were cut off by Chinese troops near Tai'erzhuang. On March 29th, the Japanese troops decided to tunnel under the walls to take the city. But upon emerging, they were killed by the Chinese.

On April 6th, the Japanese tried for a frontal assault. The Chinese were able to repel the Japanese attackers. Despite China's possible inability to capitalize on the retreat by the Japanese.

The Japanese has yet to acknowledge the victory.

Japanese Yellow River Campaign

After marching from Qingdao (Tsingtao, 青島), Japanese forces finally reached the Huang (Yellow) River. Mobile Chinese forces limited Japanese control to the railway zone.

The Japanese forces have had to contend with Chinese guerillas. These guerillas have so far been underestimated.

Atrocities in Nanking

Since Japan took possesion of Naking late last year there has been word of many grizzly events in the city. Up until today, there had been nothing official.

The International Committee is a group of American, British, and German businessmen, missionaries, physicians and academics living in Nanking and led by German businessman, John Rabe. Despite the dangers involved, these men and their families have remained behind in Nanking. They are responsible for the Safety Zone. It was established in the city on November 22nd of last year. The Safety Zone, which is about the size of New York City's Central Park, was not shelled during combat.

Today, the committee forwarded 450 cases of disorder to the Japanese embassy. Among these cases are reports of bayoneted civilians and rape.

«Case 5- On the night of December 14th, there were many cases of Japanese soldiers entering houses and raping women or taking them away. This created panic in the area and hundreds of women moved into the Gingling College campus yesterday.»

«Case 10- On the night of December 15th, a number of Japanese soldiers entered the University of Nanking buildings at Tao Yuen and raped 30 women on the spot, some by six men.»

«Case 13 - December 18, 4 p.m., at No. 18 I Ho Lu, Japanese soldiers wanted a man's cigarette case and when he hesitated, one of the soldier crashed in the side of his head with a bayonet. The man is now at the University Hospital and is not expected to live.»

«Case 14 - On December 16th, seven girls (ages ranged from 16 to 21) were taken away from the Military College. Five returned. Each girl was raped six or seven times daily- reported December 18th.»

«Case 15 - There are about 540 refugess crowded in # 83 and 85 on Canton Road. (...) More than 30 women and girls have been raped. The women and children are crying all nights. Conditions inside the compound are worse than we can describe. Please give us help.»

«Case 16- A Chinese girl named Loh, who, with her mother and brother, was living in one of the Refugee Centers in the Refugee Zone, was shot through the head and killed by a Japanese soldier. The girl was 14 years old. The incident occurred near the Kuling Ssu, a noted temple on the border of the Refugee zone (...)»

«Case 19 - January 30th, about 5 p.m. Mr. Sone (of the Nanking Theological Seminary) was greeted by several hundred women pleading with him that they would not have to go home on February 4th. They said it was no use going home they might just as well be killed for staying at the camp as to be raped, robbed or killed at home. (...) One old woman 62 years old went home near Hansimen and Japanese soldiers came at night and wanted to rape her. She said she was too old. So the soldiers rammed a stick up her. But she survived to come back.»

Bombing of Panay Deliberate

Observers who witnessed the Japanese aerial attack on the USS Panay two days ago declared tonight the bombing was unmistakably deliberate, precluding a possibility of error. The observers were rescued by the Royal Navy HMS Bee.

Though the United States gunboat had American flags painting on her awnings and a carried flags in every mast, squadrons of Japanese planes bombed the Panay at 1:35 PM (this would just half past midnight in New York).

The British Royal Navy has requested the stationing of Japanese Officers on the HMS Bee and likewise on the HMS Ladybird, also posted in the Yangtze Patrol. The Japanese have yet to respond to this proposal.

Reports are coming in that Japanese Officers boarded the Panay just two scant hours before she was attacked. They asked questions about her destination and details about the offensive in Nanking. Japanese forces also came alongside her and trained their rifles on her.

The gunboat was assisting ships Meiping, Meihsia and a third ship. As they conducted their business in the Yangtze River, they hugged the North Shore. The Japanese also set these afire.

When asked about recognizing different flags, Colonel Hashimoto, a superior commanding officer in the area in charge of the Wuhu (芜湖) area, said he was out of touch with his headquarters and that his troops could not distinguish British from Chinese flags. Neutral military observers here suspect the same inability to recognize flags on the part of many Japanese pilots.

Japanese Apologize for the Panay

Yesterday the USS Panay was strafed and bombed by Japanese forces near Nanking China where offensives were taking place. It sank in the Yangzte River.

Japanese Foreign Minister Koki Hirota expressed "profoundest apologies" today for the sinking of the gunboat.

The Foreign Minister called on US Ambassador, Joseph C. Grew, to convey the Japanese Government's regrets. Mr. Grew said he had visited the Foreign Office this morning, before he had received the news of the sinking of the Panay, and had told Mr. Hirota that shells were falling near US ships.

The Ambassador had expressly asked the Japanese vessels and aircraft use caution.

News of the Panay incident was suppressed in Japan.

Japanese believe they have Nanking

Japanese troops preceded by tanks, have been rushing into Nanking since 4 AM local time when they captured Chungshan Gate. The city's capitulation is imminent.

The fighting continued anabated throughout last night inder clear skies and a half moon. Yeasterday, the Japanese forces took Lotus Lake which border Nanking's North Wall. Colonel and Mrs. Charles A. Lindbergh landed on this lake after their flight to China in September, 1931.

The Japanese have also captured Pukow.

The Chinese have demonstrated repeatedly their ability to take extraordinary punishment. Mostly unpaid and underfed, without any provisions for their wounded, the Chinese forced the Japanese to pay a terrific price for every foot gained around the gates.

As in 1900, when Chinese forces held Teintsin's walls until the hill of corpses exceeded 7,000 and conspicuously again at Tsinan in Shantung in 1928 when they fought with similar valor, the Chinese contested every foot of the Japanese advance.

Despite their own heavy losses, the Chinese are claiming the Japanese have lost 6,000. Japanese Officers have admitted they have only advanced 100 yards.

Besides the bombardment of Nanking throughout yesterday, the Japanese raided the Nanchang Air Field at noon. The pilots reported that they shot down two pursuit planes down and destroyed twelve others on the ground.

Just before sunset, several squadrons of Naval planes made a surprise raid on the distant Sian, capital of the Shensi province. It was said they destroyed an airplace and a repair factory.

Signalling their victories it this region, the Japanese are arranging to ring the centuries old bronze bell in the Hanshan Temple, Soochow for a New Year's Eve national radio broadcast.

More news on the USS Panay as it becomes available.

USS Panay sunk in Yangtze River

Japanese planes strafed, bombed and sunk the USS Panay earlier today at 1:38 local time. It was anchored in the Yangtze River near Nanking in China. The Japanese are currently involved in heavy fighting with the Chinese in and around Nanking.

The riverboat and three oil steamers Mei Ping, Mei An and the Mei Hsia came under fire from nine A4N. Two bombs from a B4Y also hit the Panay.

Of the Sailors on board, three were killed and twenty seven of the remaining forty-three were injured. Five civilians were also aboard including newsmen from Movietone and Universal News.

Many of the men swam to the Ohau, an American craft nearby. The Royal Navy also had the HMS Ladybird and the HMS Bee nearby that assisted with the wounded.

The Japanese have said that they saw no flags designating the ship as American. They are calling this an accident and do not wish any hostility with the United States.

Japanese attack Nanking

The Japanese have engaged in a siege on the city of Nanking (南京). Outside the city, 1 million Japanese troops wait for a reply to the many leaflets dropped over the city demanding a surrender.

Currently, there is an agreement among the Japanese not to shell portions of the city not occupied by Chinese military.

Many of the foreigners in the city have fled but 22 remain behind. They have formed a Safety Zone of some kind to protect themselves. They are calling themselves the International Committee with German businessman John Rabe as their leader.

Recently, the Japanese Emperor Hirohito, has relieved the Japanese military of the required international laws for treatment of Prisoners of War. The Japanese troops are not even allowed to call the Chinese soldiers they have captured Prisoners of War.

Further Battling in China

Colonel Ott, a German advisor to the Chinese, has stated that the Japanese are lucky that the Germans are still there. otherwise, it is likely they'd be replaced by Soviet ones. Their continued presence also helps to protect the German citizens who remain in the country. If the officials were to leave, it is believed that the Chinese would be rather harsh against these citizens abroad.

In China there remains citizens of several countries such as Great Britain, of course, France, the US and Japan. Many of these citizens are claiming their extraterritorial rights to protect them from the prolonged fighting.

The Japanese remain unchecked in Northern China. The Japanese commander, Lieutenant General Seishiro Itagaki, while his motorized divisions roared over a Chinese strategic highway built by famed "Model Governor" Yen Hsi-shan of Shansi, announced: "We are pursuing the disorganized Chinese troops so fast that they are unable to reform their lines in the strong positions which they had prepared earlier in anticipation of their retreat."

The Japanese while fighting the battle for Shanghai, are also having to contend with uprising in Manchukuo. The weather has been cold enough to freeze the marshes and swamps of Manchukuo allowing for easy transportation of mechanized vehicles.