New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-18
Japan MENACES
U. S.,PREACHERS
In CHINA SAY
Missionaries Urge Wilson
to Take Stand Against
TOkiO'S Demands.
ASK THAT BRITAIN
ALSO INTERVENE
Japanese Aggression Danger to
China and Eventually 10
America" They Declare.

Picking, April 17.-Intervention by the
United States in the negotiations be-
tween China and Japan is recommend
ed in the appeal recently sent to Presi-
dent Wilson by American missionaries
in this country.
The message characterizes the Jap
anese demands on China as acts Of ag-
erosion such as eventually will pre-
sent a menace to the United States.
Pointing out that Japan has double her
usual quota Of troops in China, the
missionaries urge that she be notified
to remove the excess Of troops.
Chinese Paid Cable Charges.
The understanding here is that
Chinese officials paid the cable charges,
amounting to nearly $4,000, on the
5.OOO-word message 90 President Will
son. This communication was signed by
the Rcvs. i. ". Thwing, John Wherry,
G.. II. Fem and ". A. ?. Martin, all
connected with the American Presby-
terrain Mission at Picking; the Rev. DR..
Chauncey Goodrich. of the American
Board of Commissioners for Foreign
Missions. who is stationed at Tien-tsin;
the Rev. H. II. Lowry. OF the Methodist
Episcopal Mission at Picking, and the
Rev G.. i. Hubbard.
There are in China several hundred
American missionaries. of whom the
great majority have not seen the mes
sage. Some of them who were asked
TO sign it declined. The American
Board recently requested Its mission
aries TO avoid public expression or
opinion on political affairs, and, al
though it is said the missionaries gen
cralIv side with China in the present
controversy. few of them have been ac-
tive politically.
Urges That Britain Participate, Too.
The pctlti0n asks President Wilson
20 demand Of China, and not Of Japan,
American participation M the confer
cnccs now under way. IL is suggested
that Great Britain and other nations
be invited 20 participate.
The missionaries ask chat the gov
ernments of both China and Japan be
notified that the presence OF unusual
bodies Of japanese troops on ChlneSe
soil not only embarrasses the freedom
OF NEGOTIATIONS, Dul constructs az ~
rage to the rights of China and a
serious menace 10 the peace and safety
of Americans and foreigners general
w." and recommends that pending the
removal OF excessive cOntlngents OF
japanese troops all negotiations should
be suspended
I've wish it understood that we are
not partisaus,' the missionaries say,
and continue:
"China Really Republican.
Lot Ii not be thought that China Is
a republic only i'm name because of the
autocratic powers at present vested IN
the President. The powers Of his high
Office are wisely and periodically eXer.
cised. The formalities and parade OF
ingly station are all avoided, and ad-
vancement towrd a more popular form
Of government is vastly easier than
IL would be under imperial rule"
The message offers explanation OF
the shortcomings and enumerates the
achievements of the Chinese govern
ment. Il dcnounccs Japanese aggres-
sion" as "a danger not only to China,
but eventually 20 America and adds:
"Shau we 20 on forever being fooled
by fair speeches made at full dress
banqucts at the Japanese capital?'