Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-03-18
GOOD WILL TOWARD JAPAN.
Smaller Mathews Carries Msssass Of
Friendship TO Island Empire.


Correspondence to Associated Press.l
Oska, Japan. Feb. 2A,-Before con-
Guiding his visit to Japan in the inter-
ests of friendlier relations between this
country and the United States, Prof.
Smaller Mathews, Of the University OF
Chicago, met the request Of the Osaka
Asahi for formal letter expressing
his sentiments as to the attitude of the
United States toward Japan. Professor
Mathews's visit, as has been said in
these dispatches, has been notable for
the freedom with which he took up
the discussion Of the American atti-
tude. He was sent here by the Federal
Council Of Churches of Christ In
America for that purpose. In his let
ter to the newspaper named, he wrote:
TT is with pleasure that I respond
ments as to the attitude of the United
States towards Japan. In so doing l
as alone responsible for any mistake
in the opinions l express.
1. LAS regards the churches, OF
which am in a way representative, |
can say unqualifiedly that their mill
lions of members have a profound In
terest in and regard for Japan and the
JAPANESE. we HleStI W IC1P oapesA ~
the limit Of our ability and in the way
which the body of distinguished Jap
anese christians may deem best. There
is in America a keen sense of the sig
nificance Of Japan as the meeting place
of modern thought among Asiatic
peoples, and we wish to be permitted to
help japan realize her hope of help
fulness as expressed by representa-
o1c rcurchaS
christian associations. teachers and
America, which needs the same as
sistance toward morality, will share
them in the future as certainly as IN
the past.
2. GAS regards the American people
as whole, can affirm the same at
titude. MY opinion is here not one OF
mere speculation, but is based upon
investigation among leaders Of public
opinion turnout the country. Any in
dications of a contrary spirit are mar
rowly local and the outcome of econ
omic conditions and not of interna-
tional ill-will. One of the most dis
tinguished citizens, now president of
the republic, has expressed the same
opinion in letter to me. which l have
already ldu LIlS lOIlOI VI ~ ~
the Japanese people.
This universal good will can be
trusted to discover some way by which
ANY misunderstanding that may arise
can be removed. AS Secretary Bryan
has so finely said, There is no last
word" among friends.
3. personally I believe that each OF
our nations need to understand more
accurately the point Of view Of the
other. Japan should sympathize with
the United States as that country
faces the grave and complicated ques-
tions involved in immigration and the
struggle that is now going on in
America as well as in Europe between
organized labor and great aggregations
Of capital Further, it is desirable that
Japan understand that the United
States has no imperialistic plans. we
are commercial nation without mill
tary ambitions and opposed to enforc-
ing commerce by war. To speak OF
Americas desire to obtain territory on
/ the continent or islands of Asia is abb
surd. We are even planning autonomy
for the Philippines.
con the other hand America needs
to understand the natural feelings OF
japan and to accord to the Japanese
Empire full recognition Of friendly in
tent and admiration for its. administra-
ton of the gentleman's agreement as
to emigration.
1T is my hope that may be able
to assist in bringing about this better
understanding. I shall have oppor-
tunity to present the sentiments OF
Japan to American audiences, and
shall do so as frankly as I have repre-
sented American good will to audiences
in Japan"