The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-09-18
CHINESE GIVE MISSION RIGHTS
 TO JAPANESE
Newspapers Say Movement is Practically Political to Extend Japanese
 Influence.

Picking, Sept. 17-"chtna agrees that Japanese subjects shall have the right of missionary propaganda in China
 This apparently, simple statement, which was Article seven of Group five in the recent demands Japan made upon China, has created much conmotion in China and is the sub Ject of hot discussion in the press.
 Ali of the demands made under Group five were waived temporarily by Japan. MT. Hioki, the Japanese Minister, said: "As relates to the question of the right of missionary propanganda, the same shall be taken up again for negotiation in future."
 The missionary propaganda re- ferred to in the treaty was the preach ing of Buddhism. and the announce ment in Chinese papers that Japanese Buddhists will probably soon send delegations to China to press their claim for permission to preach Japan ese Buddhism to the Chinese is caus- ing uneasiness.
 Chinese newspapers frankly say the movement is purely political and that the Jaopanese hope to send so-called religious leaders who will extend Ja- panss influence. There are more than 40 Chinese treaty ports where Japanese missionaries could carry on 
 the papers are pointing out that Ja,- panese iBuddhists should first go to these places and demonstrate their good intentions, just as Catholic and Protestant missions have. Further more there are many inland cities open to international trade where the Chinese papers say there would be no objection to Japanese missionary work.
 ITO come and preach Buddhism in China is like carrying coals to Newcastle,' says the China Coast Post. "Th ere is no town or village so small that it hasn't a Buddhist temple. They are even in the lone \ ly places among the hills, where nc visitor is seen from months end to months end. Japan received the Buddhism from China, but the inn
 parting of it in no way diminish d the home supply. It is-not claimed that the Japanese have so improved the faith as to make it a new one. | From the native point of view there is no more need for this particular kind of missioning than there would ] be for Japanese to come here to teach the Chinese people how to read their own classics and write their own characters both of which Japan ad- l opted from China"
 Buddhist monks are making an earnest effort in many parts Of China to revive interest in Buddhism. This was apparent even before the Japa- nese sought permission to have their religious workers enter China. But the Japanese request has probably as sisted the movement am 1ong Chinese monks. At present two celebrated Buddhists from South China, Ti-Y en and Shen-Tsu. are holding reviva1s in Picking which will continue for fifty days. A number of government Of-
 1cials Of considerable rank have lent their assistance to the movement, which is commanding much space in the local papers.
 1, It is the desire of the two Buddhists leaders to establish a college in Pek- ling and standardize the priests and nuns throughout the country by hav- ing the governnnt issue certificates to worthy leaders. By this means they. hope to subvent the inpositions of unworthy persons who pose as re 1 ligious leaders.