Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-03

tenant at twenty. and while holding that
rank fell in with The Marquis Yamagaii'.
senior ht III marshal of the japanese army,
highest IN military rank in the empire.
and perhaps the most eminent colder
Japan has produced in modern times. Kat
sura. mere boy. became attached t.
famaSata's staff IN 1870 and has been with
him or under his personal influence ever
since A few years later he married
daughter of Count Inouye who all these
years has been eminent and useful rs
"A statesman as Yamagata has been as a
soldier. and both have been conspicuous
in the little group of master minds that
nave Quilt up the empire of Japan. There
Is no man of greater ability wider in
fuence than Count Inouye. and. although
he retired from active participation in pub
lie affairs several years ago. he has fire.
quently been called upon ny the govern
ment for advice and counsel. and has been
intrusted with many delicate and import
ant missions.
After the reorganization of the govern
ment In the EOS young Katsura then 81
captain. was sent to Germany To complete
his education. and spent seven years there
In study and observation. being for three
years military attache to the Japanese lega-
ton at Berlin. He then returned to Tokyo.
and was engaged for the next few years in
reorganizing the japanese army upon the
German model. In 1886 he was made vice
minister of war, and served In that posi-
ton until 1893, when he commanded the
third army division in the war against
emma: marched II through Korea around
into Manchuria and fought out the war.
When peace was declared he made
the first governor of Formosa, and organ
lied the government of that island In
1888 when Gamagata became prime minis
ter for the second time. he recalled Kat
sura from Formosa and made him minister
of war, In which position he served until
1901 when he became himself prime minis
ter. Twice since he assumed the direc-
ton Of the government in June 1901 he has
had majority against him in parliament,
hut the the leaders the
various several political parties he has re-
manned at the head of the cabinet. because
he Is recognized as patriots soldier, with
out political policies or ambitions of his
own.
AS DIR. MeKm said. Count Katsura has
been much concerned because of the vel
low peril agitation. and has taken every
opportunity to reach the American people
and correct any misapprehenson that may
exist on this subject Although he Is not
himself Christian. he is not Buddhist
and during his long residence in Germany
became familiar with Christian doctrines
and the aims of the Christian church.
Japan's Attitude Toward Religion.
On the 18th of May the prime minister
sent for Rev. William Imbrie, missionary
of the Presbyterian board at Tokyo. and
made to him a statement which was after
ward written out revised and published by
the authority and request of Count Kat
sura. 1t Is long. and sets forth in detail
the attitude of Japan toward the Christian
church. Count Katsura is very emphatic
in his assertions. He declares that Japan
stands for particular church religion.
but for religious freedom. which is one of
the fundamental principles upon which her
constitution is based and it has always
been practiced with impartiaiity toward
Buddhists, Christians. Mohammedans and
Jews.
There are Christian churches in every
large city and in almost every town i'm Ja-
.;,.;..t Ill
have had complete freedom of speech and
worship in accordance with their own con-
vfctions. These churches send out men to
extend the influence of Christianity from
one end of the country to the other as
freely as such thing might be done In the
United States, and without attracting any
more attention. There are numerous Chris
tan newspapers and magazines. which OBJ
tain their licenses precisely other news
papers and magazines and as a matter Of
course. Christian schools. some Of them con-
Quoted by foreigners and some by japanese,
are found everywhere.
Recently ordinance has been issued
by the department of education under which
Christian schools of certain grade are
able to obtain all Of the privileges granted
TO government schools of the same grade.
There are few things which are better
proof of the recognition of rights than the
right to hold property. In many cases asso-
Citations composed of foreign missionaries
have been Incorporated by the department
of home affairs. These associations have
been allowed to own and manage land,
buildings and other property for the extern
sion of Christianity. The Presbyterian. Con-
gregational Baptist. Episcopal. Methodist
and other American missionaries have such
aSSocia tons
How About RussiaP
I'm passing it might perhaps be worth
while said Count Katsura. Ito ask how
far do the facts to be found in Russia cor
respond with those now stated.