The Washington herald., 1906-12-10

although l was not in Japan during
the recent educational crisis, and am in
no way familiar with the feeling Of the
japanese in Tokyo in regard to the treat
ment Of their countrymen in San Fran
cisco. I feel sure that within a few years
there will be a war between that coun-
try and America"
Father ClaudiUs Ferrand. apostolic
missionary Of the French order TO Japan,
made the above statement at st. Aus
tins College, in Brookland. yesterday.
Father Ferrand has spent the greater
part Of twenty years among the people
Of the Mikado, and was one Of the ear
Iiest Christian missionaries to establish
himself there He Is a member OF a
band Of priests whose aim is 10 make the
japanese students know and embrace the
Christian faith. and in this way 10 effect
the religious future of Japan. He is the
founder Of several large dormitories
where students In the japanese universi-
ties may live in a Christian atmosphere,
irrespective of their religious views.
Father Ferrands mission TO this cOun-
try has been to arouse a sentiment favor
ing his work among the clergy and mem
bers of the Catholic Church, and 10 raise
funds for the establishment Of a system
of dormitories an over the country
Japs Trust No One.
In speaking of the feeling Of the Ori-
entails toward this country. the mission
airy said:
During the war with Russia the Jap
anese in Tokyo seemed To regard the
United States as their closest friend, and
all the orations and demonstrations at the
close of the war were filled with the
most grateful illusions to everything
American. But the japanese trust no
one and fear no one. and one Of the re-
suits of the war has been 70 make them
feel themselves the greatest Of all world
powers.
They realize that logically they are
the rivals OF the United States for the
commerce of the Orient and the Pacific
and they will allow nothing to deprive
them Of this position President Roose-
Welt is universally regarded as the friend
of their nation. and many Of the recent
papers term him the greatest man IN
the world, and even the strongest man
I'M history. bur all this is natural with
them.
Likes Are Matter of Policy.
"They like a people or man as long as
it is TO their advantage, and although
this may be general to some extent with
all nations, the japanese have developed
the spirit to an abnormal extent
They are proud people and seem 70
have an instructive aversion 10 foreign
ers from whatever country they may be.
The main pride of the country is their
strength ia warfare. and the prowess OF
their navy, which is one Of exceptional
efficiency. is a subject OF endless dis
cussiOn.
.'The religion Of the lower classes OF
the people in Buddhism or Shintoism, but
the aristocrats and the better classes In
the cities are ratiOnalists and atheists.
More japanese Catholics.
Christians IN Japan number about
10000. Of which 7o0c0 are Catholics, and
the rest Episcopal or Methodist, convert
ed by English evangelists. Many Of the
Japar,.se become Christians only to learn
English and soon faH back into their
old forms when they have become fluent
in that language.
"The danger Of war in the very near
fut-re is not great. IS the country just
now is poor but all their energies are
being directed 10 the building up OF a
substantial credit. and d large surplus
IN the national treasury, and when TINS
is accomplished Japan viii war with this
country on small prOvOCaUou,