Labels:text | newspaper | black and white | publication | paper | font | newsprint OCR: IMPERIAL RESCRIPT TENNO HEIKA Moved By Deep Concern For Humanity's Future Tokyo, (Demel)-The following is the last of the Im perial Rescript Issued August 18, 1948: "To Our good and loyal sub jesta : "Alter pondering deeply the general trends of the world We have decided to effect a settlement of the present situa- tion by resorting to an extraordinary measure. ordered Our Government to communicate to the Govern- W. .... ments of the United States, Great Britain, Chins and the Soviet Union that Our Empire accepts the provisions of their Joint destaration. "To strive for the common prosperity and happiness of all mations as well as the security and well-being of Our subjects is the salema obligation which has beso handed down by Our Imperial Ancestors, and which We lay close to heart. Indeed, We destared war on America and Bri- tain out of Our sincere desire to ensure Nippon's self-preser- vation and the stabilization of East Asia, It being far from Our thought sither to Intrings upon the sovereignty of other nations er to embark upon territorial aggrandizement. But now the war has lasted for nearty four years. "Despite the best that has been done by everyone - the gallant hghting of military and naval forces, the diligence and asolduity of Our servants of State and the devoted ber- vise of Our one hundred million people, the war situation has developed not necessarily to Nippon's advantage, while the general trends of the wor.d have all turned against her interest. "Mersover, the enemy has begun to employ . now and most aruel bomb, the power of which to de damage - in- dead incalculable, taking the toll of many innocent lives. Should We continue to Aght, il would not only result In an ultimate collapse and obliteration of the Hippen nation, but also It would lead to the total extinction of human civilization. Such being the casa, how are We to save the millions of Our subjects: or to alone Ourselves before the hallowed spirits of Our Imperial Ancestors. "This is the reason why We have ordered the acceptance of the provisions of the joint declaration of the powers. We cannot but express the despest sense of regret to Our allied nations of East Asia, who have consistently cooperated with the Empire towards the emancipation of East Asia. The thought of those officers and men as well as others who have fallen in the heids of battle, those who died at their posts of duty, or those who m:{ with untimely death and all their bersaved families, pains Our heart night and day. The wellare of the wounded and the war sufferers, and of these who have lost their home and livelihood, are the objects of Our profound solicitude. "The hardships and sufferings to which Our nation is to be subjected hereafter will be certainly great. We keenly aware of the inmost leslings of all ye, Our subjects. However, It is according to the dictates of time and fate that We have resolved to pave the way for a grand peace for all the generations to come by enduring the unendurable and suffering what is insufferable. "Having been able to safeguard and maintain the struc- ture of the Imperial State, We are always with yo, Our good and loyal subjects, relying upon your sincerity and integrity. Beware most strictly of any outbursts of emotion which may engender needless complications, of any fraternal con- tention and strife which may create confusion, lead yo astray and cause ye to lose the confidence of the world. "Let the entire nation continue as one family from gane- ration to generation, ever hrm in its faith of the imperish- ableness of Its divine land, and mindful of Its heavy burden of responsibilities, and the long road before it, Unite your total strength to be devoted ic the construction for the lu- ture. Cultivate the ways of rectitude; foster nobility of spirit ; and work with resolution so as ye may enhance the Innate glory of the Imperial State and heap pace with the progress of the world."
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