Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-05-17
OKUMA'S
SPEECH STIRRED
CHRISTIANITY

When Count Okuma, the noted ia.
panese statesman and religious lead
er, in addressing gathering of re-
preventative missionaries and peace
mission leaders at his home in To-
kio short time ago, said: only the
forces of Christianity are left to pre-
vent war;" the first intimation was
received by Americans that there
was the least possibility of war be-
tween the United States and Japan.
Just what Okuma said at that meet
ing will never be known except by
those attending the meeting. The
Japanese newspapers, however, were
given parts of the speech, which were
eagerly published. Among those who
occupied seats at the meeting were
Rev. K. Ibuka. president of the 3oci-
ETY. for the Federation of Christian
Churches of Japan, and X. Yaman1o-
10, general secretary of the Toxic
Young Mems Christian Association,
who arrived in Honolulu on Monday
enroute to New York to attend the
annual convention of the Worlds
Christian Student Federation, in
company with Messrs. Hattori and
EbaFa, members of the Japanese par
lament. While Hattori and Ebara
we're making fiery speeches at the
Mochitsuki Club with regard to the
condition of the Japanese in Califor-
MIA, lbuka was holding a meeting in
the Nuuanu street Japanese school,
speaking on religious subjects and
giving no thought to the California
situation.
In the course of Reverend Ibuka's
speech, he mentioned the clause in
Count Okuma's address: "Only the
forces of Christianity are left to pre-
vent war. He then went on to quote
from Count 0kuma's address as fol-
lows:
IF were to view the question as
a statesman, would be forced to de-
mand the rights of our country from
America. But in the present situa-
ton, / think any effort to solve the
problem by diplomacy or law will end
in failure. II is more an outcome of
the collision of feelings than of rea-
son and sense, and anyone who I'M
derstands the temperament of The
Japanese race will agree with me
that the upshot of the situation will
be tremendously serious one if the
statesmen of both countries try to
settle it by diplomatic relations only
If Japan demands her rights and
America refuses to give them to her,
and both refuse to compromise on
their claims, there would be only one
result. The peoples of the two coun-
tries are daily getting more and
more excited. The sensational jour-
nails and lecture-meetings are adding
oil to the fire. If things continue in
the way they are going on, both gov
ernments will be compelled to take an
Gnyielding stand and a final clash
would ~be inevitable. Diplomacy or
law or craftsmanship won't work in
this case: the power of Christianity
the teaching of the brotherhood of
all men and universal peace-alone
will save the threatening situation.
Christianity is stronger in America
than in any other country, and the
concerted efforts of the Christian
workers here and in America will
meet with the much desired effect.
Being of this conviction, | request
-beseech-you earnest missionaries
to put forth your utmost efforts for
the peaceful settlement of the burn
ing question, for the sake of human
ity and universal peace and love,
which Your teacher has preached"