New-York tribune., 1907-09-02
ENCOUNTER OPPOSITION.
British and Germans Hinder Work
of american Missionaries.

London. Sept. 1.-The American Congrega-
tionalist missionaries are at present encounter
ing opposition from British officials in Natal
and Germans in the Caroline and Marshall ISL
ands- The Rev. James Levi Barton. foreign
secretary of the American Board of Commits
sioners for Foreign Missions, after making a
tour of inspection of the missions in Japan and
China, has spent several months in Europe on
deavoring to adjust these difficulties. The
gradual withdrawal Of American missionaries
from the German islands has been decided upon,
but the troubles in Natal, arising from the hos
tility of Colonel Sir Henry Edward McCalum.
the late British Governor of Natal. remain uu-
settled.
In an interview with The Associated Press
to-day Dr.. Barton said:
Since the Germans obtained control Of the
Caroline and Marshall islands. in the middle
Pacific, they have seemed suspicious Of the mis-
sionaries of the American board, who already
have been in the islands for a generation. II
was hard for the Germans TO feieve that back
of the work of the missionaries did not lie some
political designs upon the islands They asked
that the German language, instead or EhSllsII'
be taught in the schools, and also that German
missionaries be sent out to replace the Ameri-
cans
The American board has arranged with the
National Society of Christian Endeavor of Ger
many and the IiebenZeller Mission 10 take over,
by degrees. all the missionary work in Ger
InaDy's Pacific islands Missionaries have been
sent out from Germany. and the work viii DC
to carry il
For seventy years the American board has
conducted its work among the Zulus of Natal,
and many Of the Zulus have become not only
civilized, but q positive Christianizing force
among their own people Until recently tils
work OF the American missionary was regarded
as of supreme value to the government, as 1t
taught law and order to the natives as we'll as
moral living.
Unfortunately recently Governor McCallum
obtained the erroneous impression that the Zuiu
Christians connected with the American mis- ms
sions were disloyal and he so reported. During
the rebellion Of 1906 our converts showed loyalty
the government by icopardizinG their nyes'
hut although less than fifteen did anything that
could possibly be interpreted diSlOyaity the
governor adhered to his statement that all the
converts were disloyal and that tho work of the
mission was detrimental. 0 the best interests Oh
the government.
right 10 solemnize marriages granted to Zulu
cl.rgymen and other communions have beeh
withheld from the American CongregatlondllslS.
The Governor has gone So far as 10 pronounce
the CONGREGATIONAL policy dangerous to the gov
crrmert. il trains the natives TO conduct thelI
own ch.:rch affairs and manage the schools ana
the education of their own children The gov
ernor demands that a white person SHAH be
placed over every Zulu church and school, This
would make the work Of the American board d
practical inpossibility IN South AFRICA, as Wen
as in every country, sufficient number or
whites could not be provided, and the growth
of the Zulu churches into Independence and sell
support could not he expected.
II also will surprise the COngregationaEstS III
America and England TO learn from such dis
tinguis.ed authority tnat the CongregatlonaIlStS
are hostile the government. Naturally the
American board feels aggrieVed that such dis
crImjnation should be made between its work
and that of the other missions. l sincerely nope
the government of Natal will not adhere to the
position of the late Governor: The american
missions invite a most searching investigation.
and are convinced that through this adverse
criticf-m il will be changed to conmendauon