The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-01
SAY JAPAN SEEKS
TOFORCE BUDDHIST
RELIGION ON CHINA
Complaint Made by Christian
Missionaries Raises sharp Is
sue in Negotiations.
MIKADO'S AMBASSADOR
CONFERS WITH BRYAN

WAsnixGroN. April S0.--Disclosures
made here to-day indicate that sharp
issue on the question Of religion has
been raised incident to the present nego-
tiations between Japan and China. The
matter has been brought to the atten-
ton ~ the United States through repre-
sen1ations mad, IN behalf Of Christian
missionaries In China. The charge IL
made that Japan Is attempting 10 en-
force the Buddhls. religion on the Chi
uese and that this particular demand
has aroused great resentment in China.
This Is phase OF the Carbohydrates
negotiations that IL likely 10 cause the
United states and other Christian ma
tons a lot of embarrassments.
Secretary Bryan and Ambassador
Chinda had a long conference concern
Ing the general situation yesterday and
were together again to-day. While the
discussions between the Chinese AM
bassador and the American officials have
been guarded with the utmost secrecy,
there are evidences that the Unit ii
Far Eastern crisis than is Indicated on
the surface Japan. II Is understood.
has given unqualified assurances 90 this
Government that It's intentions with re
spect TO China include nothing In viola
tion of Japan's pledges to maintain the
principles Of equal opportunity and ter
r!torial Integrity. Its traditional support
of these principles. officials say. IL the
basis Of tho interest of the United States
In the situation and its participation
In the discussions with Japan relative
10 the Mikado's demands upon China.
II is known that some Washing on on
cials are seriously concerned over the
Injection OF the religious issue into the
chino-Japanese situation. While there
is no official authority for the statement
there Is good reason TO believe that this
phase OF the negotiations has been dis
cussed by Secretary Bryan and the
japanese Ambassador. Representatives.
here OF the Christian missionaries in
China are insistent that Japan IL ambi-
tious To induce the Chinese to accept
Buddhism as their religion. In behalf
of Japan IL has been stated that tina I
country is seeking only the same recog-
-Gtsjon OF Buddhism In Chtpa that In ac-
corded Christianity.
Buddhism Is not the national japanese
religion. That II Shintoism. But OF
course II would be Impossible for the
Japanese to induce me Chinese 10 ac-
cep, the japanese Emperor ~ a semi
deity of their faith. and consequently
In mission work IN china the Japane se
have always stuck TO the Buddhist faith.
Buddhism il already the religion Of a
very large number OF Chinese. Con-
-
educated classes. and there H. also a
very small minority 81 Christians.
The Buddhist Church in Japan IL a re-
form institution. and II IL this reformed
sect Of Buddhism which would take UP
the Japanese missionary work in China.
Already some OF the influential Chinese
Buddhist priests have been converted
To the reformed Japanese Buddhism.
and II II obvious that the Japanese
would have 10 very difficult task In
spreading their faith through China
once they had the permission OF the
Chinese Government 10 send their
priests through the provinces.
Just how far the Christian mission
ariee have gone IN considering this issue
In their representations To- President will
son cannot lee learned, for the text OF
their telegram never has been made
public and has been even withheld from
circulation among subordinate Govern
ment officials here.
II IL known. however that other per-
sons working 70 bring about interview
ton by the United States in the Chinese
Japanese negotiations have taken steps
To make the most OF this religious issue.
So far as can be seen here. there would
b" no ground upon which the United
States could oppose IN" Japanese de-
mand for the same privileges for Japa-
nese priests as are now enjoyed by
Christian missionaries