Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-09-03
Japan abandoned all hope of peace and
was Obliged to rise in self defense It

Japan abandoned all hope of peace and
was obliged to rise in self defense. 1t
is characteristic of the Japanese
people to be brave at the call of JUS
tice and duty and this characteristic
is as beautiful as the cherry blossom
which is native to the soil of Japan.
During the long history of the Japanese
empire there is no record to show that
the Japanese is warlike people.
Read the history of Japan and you
will learn that the japanese fought
only for the sake of Justice and hon
esty. In my opinion this charge that
the Japanese are a warlike people
does injustice to the people. The
charge should instead be applied to
the Russians 1t is also great Won
der to me to find that the present strug-
gle is considered religious conflict be-
tween Christianity and heathendom.
There could be no greater mistake.
In Japan the freedom of religious be-
lief is absolutely guaranteed and peo-
pie respect Christianity. Some of the
high military and civil officers of the
japanese government and many of the
Japanese students are avowed Chris
tians.
admiral Togo, the commander-in-
chief of the fleet, is an earnest Chris
tian and SO is his wife. Vice Admiral
Uryu. who won battle against the
Russians off Chemulpo is member of
the Presbyterian church. Hundreds of
Japanese officers, prominent in the
Japanese army, several mem bers of
the Japanese cabinet. the president of
the Japanese Seiyukwai and some of
its members, part of the members
of the supreme court, some famous
editors and some professors in the uni
versities and colleges are earnest
Christians.
10000 Christians.
cat this time there are 1870. 900 Chris
tians in Japan and the Japanese with
their modern ideas are willing to adopt
Christianity and Shintoish and Bud
hists, who dislike Christianity without
investigating it, will yet be christian
lied under the instruction of the mis-
sionaries The Japan of today is
reservoir of potential energy for
Christianity. 1t is to be hoped that
this latent power will be developed
and tie ambitions Of the Christian
young men of Japan is tending toward
this end. All Christian countries will
be welcome in Japan. Not only her
religion but her policy is considered
quite in accordance with peace and
civilization, liberty and equality, JUS
tice and humanity Can Russia repre-
sent true Christianity? Are the prin-
ciples OF Christianity ever carried out
in Russia? Is her policy in accordance
with that of an enlightened nation?
can not find any necessity for answer
ing these questions as Russia's past
deeds tell of this more evidently than
could my answer.
"There is no greater mistake than
to regard Russia as Christian nation.
The religious distinction made in this
present conflict is the greatest mis-
take of all and Japan Is misrepresent-
ed by the suggestion of the yellow
peril If Japan succeeds in this war
with Russia it does not mean any
danger of an oriental concentration
against western nations nor the whole
sale expulsion of the white men. If
Japan wins in this fight China and
Korea may be relieved from the trouble
which has interrupted their civilization
and disturbed their peace for long
time in the northern boundaries of
the territories and Korea may be an
absolutely Independent nation. Then
Japan may lead the oriental nations
to civilization; preserve permanent
peace in the east and open Manchuria,
Korea and Chinese ports to the world
The mutual dependence and interest of
all nations and these nations would
come into closer contact, which would
annihilate the suggestion of Color
phobia' and the difference of customs
and matters by means of association
would fade away
ITO make a long story short the
thought of yellow peril is impossible
and 1t is prejudice interrupting the
civilization of the twentieth century.
Let us forget entirely the racial dis
tinction and promote the happiness of
mankind in general by more mutual
trust and more mutual consideration
"Minosallu Yamamoto,
Park College, Parkville, Mo-"