The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-04-04
What the Struggle Means.
Southern Lutheran.

before the DeSllllllllS Ol IlOSlllltlSS
between Japan and Russia, the Rev.
James H. Pettee. OF Okayama. Japan.
missionary OF the American Board
and the regular correspondent in
Japan OF the Congrcgationalist and
Christian World. wrote a letter to
his paper from which we take the
liberty OF reproducing the following
extracts:
Japan is fighting a mighty battle.
What is it all for? In a word, for
the freedom and unfettered progress
OF the Orient. She regards the advance
OF Russia as a menace TO her own
national life and to the normal devel-
opmcnt OF new Korea. new China and
the new Manchuria. Journalists and
the people at large cannot forget Rus
sia's dcSpicable act in 1895 in depriv-
ing Japan OF her rightful gcin after
the China-Japanesc War and late:
herself coolly taking possession of
the same territory. Many, but not
the nation as d whole, would go to
war simply to retake Port Arthur. If
free trade and Chinese suzerainty in
Manchuria could be guaranteed Japan
would ignore the past and make no
dispute over land north OF the Yalu
River But confidence in the good
faith OF Russia's promises has been
completely destroyed.
Russia paralyzes trade and hinders
progress. Her ideals may be high,
but she is so hampered by her huge :
ness. her se1ni-barbarous conditions
and her formal rather than ethical
type o; religion that she is a hind
rance rather than help in civilizing
the far East She IS already out-class-
ed by nin1ble, audacious, energetic,
Japan. Her plea that she is standing
for Christianity and the dominance Of
the white race as against Buddhism
and the yellow peril" makes her and
all nations of the West that sustain
her in these views reproach in the
East She is dragging the stars in
the mud instead OF lifting chariot to
the skies.
Judged by performances OF the stage
OF the farther East, Japan is more
Christian than Russia. Sne is safer
custodian OF the Interests OF these
wakening nations. I do not hesitate
70 affirm that if Russia wins. whether
by diplomacy or ironclads, the prog
rcSS OF ci, ,iization III all the far East,
will be held back fifty years and the
great nations OF the West will suffer
in proportion. The sympathy OF
Christendom should be given unre-
servedly TO Japan in this crisis. She
is under bonds 10 continue to exercise
self-restralnt and TO show to the
world that she has heartily accepted
the principles which underlie the civ
ilization OF te West and if she sue
cceds-as she deserves, and / feel
confident vii, do-she may be trust
ed to use her victory for the perma-
nent peace and prosperity OF all the
East.
Let the people OF the West give her
every possible support. Especially let
Christians stand by her churches,
schools and orphanages during this
fateful period. Thus far religious
work has not suffered from the near
approaching of hostilities. On the
other hand,the overhanging war cloud
has tended to make men serious and
ready to receive instruction. Mission
aries, pastors, Christian teachers and
other workers are taxed beyond their
strength to meet the opportunities OF
the hour. But actual war will close
purses and perhaps in some cases
churches. Orphans and invalids will
increase in number while gifts to local
charities will inevitably fall off. Hard
times are clearly ahead. Rally,
friends Of the West, to the support
of this frontier line of Christian civili-
cation aiong the coast of Asia!
Okayama, Japan. Jan. 20.
d.