Pardon the delay in responding to your post.
Analogy is the refuge of a depleted argument. Pacific war conditions involving a militarily hostile foreign country capable of inflicting mortal damage to its enemies almost 80 years in separation do not reflect the conditions in Lincoln's cabinet in 1861; therefore the Japanese comparison is unfit for discussion on this thread.
"Under international law of the era, declaration of a blockade is an act of war...
Correct. And that is the basis for the Federal Court ruling that many on different forums here have cited you in the past. But you continue to mimic considered responses by using circular logic instead of accepting the fact of the court ruling.
Your arguments about relevance do not change the fact that Lincoln's action in April of 1861 was the war’s Official beginning.
Four and a half months later? That's not a delay, that's showing up for the party weeks after everyone else has gone home.