Arizona republican., 1905-10-13
RESULT OF WAR
The Spread of Christianity
 in Japan
MISSIONARIES HOPEFUL
They Had Feared in the Beginning That the Struggle Would be Re- garded as One Between Ancient Buddhism and Civilized Religion.

New York, Oct. 12.-The disturb ances last month in Tokio Japan, dur
 ing which it was reported that a num-
 Der of Christian churches had been de-
 strOyed by rioters, have aroused fears
 as to the attitude of the Japanese peo-
 pie toward Christian mission work in
 their country. An interview has just
 been had with Dr. Kajinosuke Ibaka,
 who is president of AIeiji Gaquin, a
 Christian college and theological sem
 mary at TokiO and who is spending
 some weeks in this city. This Japanese educator said that the disturbances in
 TokiO and other Japanese centers were to be looked upon merely as local affairs having no great significance. Some of those participating in them may oppose Christianity. but their opinion and acts are by no means to be considered evidence of the attitude of the nation. Dr. Ibuka asked that it be remembered that Christianity was interdicted in Japan up to about thir- ty-five years ago. and that it is there fore not strange that some anti-Chris- tian sentiment should remain.
 There was some fear at the begin ming of the war, ne said, that the con test with Russia might be considered by the people of Japan as one between the forces of Christianity and those of Buddhism. Some Russian state ments, copied in Japan, placed this construction upon it, but the mikado made it clear to his people, in a proc lamatiOu, that the conflict was be- tween two states, upon matters of state, and that in no sense was the quarrel one of religions or even of races.
 Throughout the war continued pr. Ibuka, the attitude of the Japanese government and people has been more friendly to the Christian cause. Evi- dence of this might be multiplied. Christian chaplains were, for instance, permitted in the army, for the first time in the history of Japan. The work of the Y. M. c. \. in the army was heartily welcomed, and Japanese of high rank made contributions for the work. As was natural, the Greek church missions. as representing the church of which the Russian national church is branch, have been looked upon with suspicion by the Japanese. and for that very reason the Japanese government has taken pains to protect it's property. Bishop Nicolai of the Russian church remained in Japan throughout the war without harm to himself or to church property, and Greek church priests were permitted to minister to the Russian prisoners taken by Japan.
 Dr. Ibuka looks for marked ad- vance of the Christian cause in Japan as a result of the war. The soldiers have been much impressed by what they have seen of the practical side of Christianity, and they will carry the impressions with them to their homes. There has arisen. it is true. new na- tiOnal consciousness as a result of the success of the Japanese arms and with this Christian missionary leaders must reckon. Delicate questions of church government may arise. The churches established by Presbyterian and Re formed missionary bodies have already been organized into a national church body the Church of Christ in Japan which is a self-governing organization. to which missionary boards hold the relation of outside bodies helping in the work. To a large extent this is the result of the work of the Presbyterian board of foreign missions, which es- tablished work in Japan nearly half a century ago. The Meiji GaqUin, of which the Rev pr. IbUka is president, is the result of a union of schools es- tablished by this board and other Presbyterian and Reformed organiza- tions. The school had at the last re- port 189 pupils in the academic de- partment, 34 taking higher courses, and 14 in the theological department. The school has an excellent property in TOkio, but needs additional build ings and equipment Aid for the pro vision of these Dr. Ibuka hopes to se- cure before he leaves this country for Japan.