Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-27
A Startling Revelation Of Gov
eminent Tactics-The Pro
and Con Of the Evangelists'
Work-Ambassador
Wright's Opinion.
BY. WILLIAM T. ELLIS.

BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.
downright 1907, by Joseph 3. BOwles)
SHTMONCSEKI, Japan.-As I leave Japan
for Korea, where, it is said, surprising news
awaits, it is necessary to summarize the re-
suIts of three months investigation into the
religious conditions and missionary work
in japan. / find that some Of the state
ments now to be set down are rather SEN
sational: this is due to the facts, and not To
their reporting. Indeed, unimportant news
could scarcely be expected from the coun-
try which embobdies the worlds greatest
political problems, the far eastern ques-
ton That much-discussed question. one
learns who pairstakingly studies 1t on the
ground, is really commingling OF racial,
religious, economical and political questions
The reader of these articles who has not
seen in them more than treatment OF mis-
sions and religion has not grasped all the
meaning that the writer intended to con-
vey.
The Japanese government, which has
ever before it's eyes the Importance of in
fuencing western opinion, has been playing
politics with Christianity. Like any other
nation in similar circumstances, it has en-
ployed every agency at hand that would
world is nominally Christian, Japan has,
throughout the present era, displayed a ia
vorable attitude toward Christianity. In
deed, that shrewd old statesman, Marquis
Ito (whom many Americans have been led
to look upon as a sort of main prop of the
church in Japan although, judged by even
the loose japanese standards, he is "a most
immoral MANI proposed that Japan make
Christianity its state religion. l have the
personal testimony of educated Japanese
that they themselves became Christians
twenty years ago for the sake of the coun-
try" The help of missionaries was freely
used by the government, first, because 1t
was needed, and, secondly, because Japan
wanted to appear in pro-Christian light
Undoubtedly there has been a measure of
this same sort of statecraft in the govern
ment's recent gifts to the Young Mems
Christian Association army work.
In the government offices of Toxic l came
upon the program with respect to religion,
and how 1t has been changer. My author
ity is so high that it cannot be questioned
The intention of the men who shape the
nations policy (and this is a paternal, not
a popular form of government was ..Iat
the crown prince of Japan should become
a baptized Christian, so that the next en-
peror should be counted among the Chris
tan rulers of the earth The personal con-
victions of the crown prince did not --gure
in the matter at all; the rulers ioo., upon
Christianity without any regard to the be-
liefs of individuals, which is a serious over
sight as l shall show. Even yet it is pos
SlDle that the program may ne overturned
by the sincere conversion of the crown
prince to Christianity, an event, however,
which is quite improbable.
For the second part of the government
program reverses the first. The plan has
been changed. 1t has now been decided
that 1t is unnecessary for Japan to become
a Christian nation. The next emperor will
not be a Christian. Independence and bier
alton in religious matters will continue to
be the national policy, but the same O--icial
whose views l have been expressing de-
clares it to be his belief that Japan will
never become a Christian nation, although
there will remain, alongside of Buddhism
and Shintoism, japanese Christian church.
~
On the same point let me quote cunt
Okuma, one of the elder statesmen and the
most influential indiv -ual in Japan. I had
a long interview with him in his beautiful
home, upon many phases of the Japanese
problem, including this one. Japan mas
the most perfect religious liberty in the
world So great is the spirit of federation
here that a conference on mutual relations
was recently held in Toxic by the Chris
very conference showed a lack of zeal on
the part of each for it's own faith. This
same lack of ancient zest and tendency to
surrender beliefs, is also noticeable, l un-
derstand, in America. AS to Christianity,
in Japan, would say that 1t has spread as
ligion. 1t may continue to grow, and be
widely accepted, but 1t will~never become a
national religion. Had Christianity been
our ancient faith, the situation would have
been diIterent. Moreover Christianity
would have been greater in Japan were 1t
NOT for the UNCONVENTIONAL divisions and
strife, which have hindered Christian
growth here. I am glad to- notice de-