The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1913-05-02
JAPANESE QUESTION AND MISSIONARIES.

JAPANESE QUESTION AND MISSIONARIES.
The foreign missionaries are being very sharply criti
csed bv the Japanese papers and pubcists connection
with the antiapanese agitation in California according
TO the Toxic and Yokohama papers at hand. Count
Okrma is among others in soliciting specially at this
moment the efforts by the American missionaries for
amicable settlement of the question, while Mr.. Tokutom,
editor of the Koumn Shmbun in his Toxic letter. Joins
in the appeal lie writes follows the question
''The prospect presented by the antJapanese bills in
California is well nigh hopeless and afraid that
this single event may deeply affect the relations between
America and Japan We must demand the special atten-
tion of the American missionaries staying in Japan at
this very moment Among them there are who are
really teachers of the Gospel and at the time
who practice its teachings. Especially indebted
to such missionaries Doctors Harris and Greene end
the late Doctor De Forest and thankful for their
valuable services during the RussoJapanese war when
they explained to the world that Japan was fighting for
righteousness and Selt-detence. g.. Fl "1fFt "i
I've do not accuse the missionaries people
apt to do OF being dishonest persons who the funds
subscribed by sincere believers in the homeands and lead
quiet and lesurey life in Oriental countries of being
men of the world who talk of humanity but in fact
greedy for money and working for selfish purposes
All this may be prejudice misunderstanding but if
these American missionaries remain silent and do nothing
this important moment in the matter of the antJapa-
agitation in California, must find it very diff
cult task dspe these false accusations about them
eff these missionaries really understand what human
ity means the present the time for them preach
the meaning of it to their countrymen? They may
say that they sent here for the sake of the japanese
that their duty to try to convert the pagan Japanese
Christianity, and that they have nothing to do with
the politics OF their home land OF there is some
reason in their plea But unfortunately it cannot be ap
piled to the present case for the present is not
political problem in America, but question between
America and Japan or between Christian country and
pagan one Should the American missionaries do moth
ing at this moment the Japanese who are, not well in
formed about the circumstances will conclude that thew
in sympathy with the California legislature In other
words, they may say that although they talk humanity
these Americans influenced by racial prejudice and
hate and look down upon pagan people Of course the
missionaries cannot succeed in their evangelical work
among such people if this be the impression about them
They may say they do not heed misunderstanding and
suspicion, but from their sandpeints missionaries and
teachers of the Gospel they should overlook this anti
Japanese agitation in California We wish give them
TINS advice Go back to your country and teach your
counrymen, or do best from this side of the Pacific
to teach the Americans the other side This is the
way for them to act at this moment"
Even stronger criticism comes from Doctor Suihiro
professor Of The Law College IN the Kyoto Imperial Uni
versty The missionaries were sent here to teach the
japanese the principles of brotherhood and humanity
says Doctor Suh Therefore before they preach to the
japanese these principles they themselves should as
'uphoders OF these principles They are bound IN duty
TO tell the CaornanS how wrongful is their recent ac
ton against the Japanese and try to make them alter
their attitude As matter of fact what action have
'ese missionaries ever taken in opposition to anti-apa
nese movements California which have been constant
since 1902 asks Doctor Suhiro OF course there have
been TWO or three instances in which missionaries have
ehuedNoreu 10 explain to their countrymen that their
conduct was wrong but Doctor Suhiro says there has
Deeh no big movement undertaken in the name of the
american MISSIONARIES resident in Japan against these
anti-Japanese agtations .,a' ~.
IL these American missionaries remain inactive at this
moment because they think movement by them would
nave much influence upon the people in the homeland
oclor nulhro declares il very poor idea on the part
of those whose duty is to preach the PRINCIPLES of I'M
manly ana righteousness. Doctor Suihro is very much
surprised by the attitude of the pastors of the Presby
terrain chufch IN California, who reported as encour
aging the ahl-alaneSe agitation there He says he is
NOT particularly pleading for his countrymen in Cafor
ma put mat 'hlS taught these missionaries always to
stand Tor the principles of humanity and righteousness
fight for these two important principles of Cbrss teach
ing should they not stir at this moment says he the
japanese Will come to distrust what they say and the
future Oh christian work in Japan will be handicapped
MAUI SCunor hyyrp hcrc