Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-24
THEY TELL OF THEIR TRIP
MESSRS. WOODWARD AND sLE-
MAN BEFORE THE Y. M. c. A..
influence Of Western Civilization in
the Far East-International
Student Federation.


their recent trip to Japan, China and Korea.
speaking before the mems meeting in the
LOBBY OF the Y. M. c. A. building at $3.50
o'clock yesterday afternoon. They men
TONED the advance of Christianity in the
orient and its influence in the pagan coun-
tries George Otis Smith, chief of the geo.
logical survey acted as chairman of the
meeting, and w. P. Thirkield, president of
Howard University, conducted the religious
exercises, assisted by Harry w Arnold. re-
ligious work director, and Commissioner
Macfarland.
One Of the striking points Of Mr. Wood
wards address had reference to the infiu-
ence which western civilization is having
IN China. Following the visit of COM
mission of leading Chinese thinkers and
politicians to the United States who were
entertained at luncheon at the local asso-
citation headquarters a system Of examina-
lions for entrance to government service In
erect for hundreds of years was abolished
and a new kind of examinations inaugu-
rated. The examinations now embrace
questions on western civilization and insti-
tutions, and the applicant must indicate
the possession Of much knowledge to enter
the service. There Is desire to study
English and western civilization, therefore,
among the better classes Of China, and
many such students are to be found in To-
kio, Mr.. Woodward declared.
Most influential Movement.
A missionary in Japan for the last thirty
years was asked recently, Mr.. Woodward
explained, what was the most influential
movement in Japan today and he replied,
1.-The Y NJ. c.. A" In that belief, the
speaker said, many leaders Of the country
agreed.
At Toxic the delegates attended the
Young Peoples International Student
Federation gathering 1t was the e,,o first
or. secular, ever held in the east,
Mr.. Woodward said. and that fact was not
overlooked by the people of the country or
by the press. Marquis Ito, perhaps the
leading statesman of the empire, sent 5000
to the finance committee Of the conference
to help defray it's expenses, with a letter
expressing his belief in the good results to
follow. In connection with the convention
the delegates were rendered receptions by
three of the most important men in the en-
pire. One was given by the president Of
the Manchurian railway, and in the course
Of his remarks to the delegates, Mr.. Wood
Manchurian railroad to that Of the Y. NJ.
C. A. in Japan, declaring them both to be
in the interest of humanity.
In Toxic, city of 1900, 900 people, Mr..
Wood ward remarked, there are half dozen
government schools, each with student
body Of from 5000 to 1000 There are about
$1,000 students there during the year. he
declared, and about $1,000 Chinese students
are in the city studying English In order
to take the governmental examinations in
the Dragon empire.
Higher Education.
In connection with the higher education,
Mr.. Woodward stated that the japanese
government has undertaken to pay the ex
penses of the students who first pass
preliminary examination for their four
years at Toxic, and will continue to sup
port them If the students want to study in
the United States or England.
For these students dormitories are being
provided by philanthropic Americans and
others. One dormitory is located on Chris
tan Hill on the spot where formerly stood
an old prison in which persons who allied
themselves with the Christian religion were
imprisoned.
Three centuries ago, the speaker said,
observance Of the Christian religion was
prohibited in the empire by imperial edict,
and copies Of the edict on large boards
were posted throughout the land. These
have now become very rare. Mr.. Wood
ward said that he was fortunate enough to
have one presented to him, and he promised
to exhibit it in this city next fall.
Mr.. Woodward described the work of mis-
sionaries In the Loo Choo Islands, south Of
Japan, and among the many islands In the
inland sea. The latter work is conducted by
Capt, Louis Bickel in the Gospel Ship, which
goes from one island to another, and at 800
different points, the Christian gospel is
Is under the American Baptist Missionary
Union Of which Mr.. Woodward is presi-
dent.
Conveys Greetings.
Mr.. Sleman conveyed greetings from the
various secretaries Of the Y. M. C. A. in the
oriental cities. especially from the men
supported by the local Y. NJ. C. A. through
the Twenty four hour-a-day Club.
II don't know when 1 have seen any
thing that was such a good investment as
the money we are spending for association
work in the far east" Mr.. Sleman declared.
The Y. M. c. A. building in Toxic, he
said, is as we'll known as the emperor's
palace, and 1t Is In that building that the To-
kio conference Of the Worlds Student Fed
Grafton was held. So also was the conten-
NAL missionary celebration at Shanghai.
For new Y. NJ. c. A. at Dalny, the Japa-
nese government has donated a magnificent
site, and at another Japanese port the gov
eminent has given a site and will furnish
the building material.
Mr.. SIeman told OF the work of the men
supported by the local association, F. s.
Brockman in China, Gaien M. Fisher in ia
pan and Robert Gayley in north China, all
of whom were visited on the recent trip.