New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-31

from the opinion that the Americans could have
spared Themselves much treasure and Dlood-
shed K in the first few years following admiral
DeWcys victory they had made use OF masonry
to get into friendly touch with the moving
spirits Of the instruction. and thus not only
10 aiay their animosty and TO INSPIRE thelh
with confidence but also to secure their ser
vices in assuaging the hatred cf the population
70 the American administrators OF the lslsiilus.
A curious fact, and one which IL is wen 10
bear in mind in this connection, Is that Japanese
Masons were extensively represented among the
Philippine lodges prior to the acquisition OF the
isiahds by the United states. IN lac'. me span
lsh secular and ecclesiastical authorities IN the
Philippines did not hesitate to a!lege thae the
japanese nation made use of the lodges 10 10
ment the Instruction and TO furnish the rebels
with revolutionary literature, with arms ana
with supplies, in the expectation or eVeItuaLIS
securing possession Of the archipelago. me at
utude Of the Japanese government toward Ma
sonry has always been rather strange Uhui
year ago at any rate II cecllheu 10 amy nc
existence of lodges in the commons o. tIlo
Mikado, though il not only permitted bun act
ually encouraged its citizens 10 join the craft
abroad and to attend foreign lodges mus ' IS
count Hayashi, now Minister of Foreign Affairs
and one Of the chief authors OF the Anglo-Jap-
anese alliance, not only Joined the cra1t WhiI1
in England a. ambassador, but likewise became
one OF the principal d!Snitaries OF BRUSH Ma
sonry. In fact, nearly all Japans statesmen
and diplomats who have served or VINO are
serving abroad. are Free Masons Inc onJeclloH
which the Japanese government Formerly ehteF-
tanned TO the existence of lodges within It's Dor
derS was its determination thal no Soclety
should be established whose deliberations and
proceedings were withheld from the authorities
But 1 understand that this attitude has now
been modified, and that Free Masonry Is no
longer subject to any restrictions. and is extend
ing with giant strides throughout the land of
the Mikado. 1t would be interesting TO know
whether the Japanese still display the same IN
terest as formerly in the Masonic lodges in the
Philippines and whether they are as active and
influential among the Filipino brethren. At any
rate. the matter may he worthy of the attention
of the American authorities in the Philippines,
who might find II advisable to endeavor to sub
stitute their influence for that Of the japanese
among the Free AIasons Of the archipelago. Lest
this letter should be construed as an invitation
TO misuse the philanthropc doctrines OF Ma
sonry for purposes of political intrigue, let me
point out that anything that can tend 10 di-
minish the prejudice Of the Orient against the
Occident is calculated 10 prove of benefit to
mankind. That the prejudice exists in a more
or less acute form throughout the Orient no one
in his senses can deny. 1t is prejudice that
has led TO bloodshed. 10 wars and massacres, TO
the loss of boundless treasure and to the arrest
of progress and of civilization. Everything
therefore that can tend TO allay this race hatred
and TO promote a frateTnal spirit between the
dusky nations and ourselves must be regarded
as fulfilling the loftiest aim Of Masonry, namely,
the institution of the universal brotherhood.