Omaha daily bee., 1916-10-19
FRIENDLY RELATIONS
WITH UNITED STATES
Bishop Tucker Tells Only Pos
sible Way Whereby Japan
Would Start Trouble.
INCLINED TO CHRISTIANITY

St. Louis, Mo-, Oct. l8.-Japanese
people feel that the best interests Of
their country depend on the preserva-
ton, of friendly relations with the
United States, Right Rev. H.. St.
George Tucker, bishop of Kioto, told
delegates to the general convention Of
the Protestant Episcopal church to-
day. He spoke at joint session Of
the two houses, comprising the con-
vention, reviewing the scope and
methods Of the thurch's foreign mis-
sion work.
81 have had large opportunities for
meeting Japanese of all classes" said
the bishop, "and | have never heard
the opinion that there is any essential
conflict between the interests Of
Japan and America expressed.
"The only possible cause for trouble
would be in a conviction on the part
of the Japanese that they were being
unjustly Disseminated against and
their national honor involved. Then
in regard to the question of the i'm
migration of the Japanese in this
country, the Japanese government has
shown willingness to meet the wishes
of the United States by a so-called
gentleman's agreement. 1t has un-
dertaken to prevent further emigra-
ton of Japanese to America and stat
istics show that in the last Jew years
it carried OF this agreement. All
Japan asks is fair, undiscriminating
treatment Of Japanese at present resi-
dents OF America.
Christianity is Gaining.
Bishop Tucker asserted occidental
life and thought is penetrating the
countries of the orient in an ever-in-
creasing volume and said the purpose
OF Christianity there is to see that
the people receive not only the ma
terialistc and intellectual side of our
civilization, but also its idealistic
side.
While the Japanese, whose think
ers realize that some form Of religion
is essential to safeguard the moral life
OF the people," the bishop said, ARE
not yet persuaded that Christian
ity is best fitted to meet their need,
our progress in Japan gives every
reason to believe that in the future
the people will recognize its value"
Speaking of China, Bishop Tucker
asserted that Christian missionaries
in that country have done much to
amelorate social conditions by build
ing hospitals, establishing medical
schools and encouraging the Chinese
to study modern medical methods.
"Onc large effect Of Christian mis-,
sionary work lies in removing, mis-
understandings, promoting a better
appreciation on the part of eastern
people of the attitude of the western
nations he continued. There seems
to be i'll this country a feeling that
the development Of Japanese interests
in China constitute a peril to the
United States. do not feel this to
be the case, and certainly, as natives
become Christians, the peril will be
diminished"
Results Of the Work.
As a result of Christian missionary
work in the east, Bishop Tucker
added, there are fully organized
Christian churches in China and
Japan, with large memberships, doing
effective social work. He cited as a
type of the communicates the first
Speaker OF the Imperial Diet of Japan,
who held Office until histdeath.
Today's joint session, over which
Right Rev. F. X. Graves, bishop Of
Shanghai, presided, was to be devoted
to conference on What is this
church trying to do in its work
abroad?"
The house of bishops informed the
house Of deputies that it had received
a request from Huysha Wolcott Yeat-
n1an-Biggs, bishop Of Worcester, Eng
land, asking for an expression Of
opinion as to when the next Lambeth
conference could be held and that
they had fixed 1919 as a possible year.