The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-01-23
JAPANESE OBJECT TO REPORT
MADE BY CANADIAN PREACHER
Government Says That Missionaries
Were Permitted in China if They
Would Not Take Part in Politics.
(sy Associated Pressl

ter written to Canadian missionaries
in Chientao, China. by Colonel Mizu-
machi, chief of a Japanese military
mission which was sent to Chientao
to Investigate charges made by the
missionaries that the Japanese troops
had committed "diabolical deeds" in
indiscriminately shooting the Korean
Christians in that district and burning
their schools, churches and homes has
been received here.
1t says that Colonel Mizumachi not
only warned the Canadians against
giving any assistance to the indepen-
dence movement, or antiJapanese
sentiment in Korea, as has been ca
bled, but that he informed them that
such malicious acts would be detri-
mental TO friendly relations between
Great Britain and japan, who are now
allied by treaty.
The Japanese investigator called the
attention of the Canadian missionar-
les to what he described as an unde-
mia BILE fact that there are numerous
different peoples In your own domin-
ions who frequently plot rebellion
against your government. such as the
recent non-co operation movement in
India"
He pointed out to the missionaries
that England and Japan were in SINH
lar positions in having racial trou-
bles and that therefore ut is advan-
tageous to us both that we should CO.
operate from our heart of hearts
strictly refraining from any word or
action which may cause harm to
either country"
In warning the Canadians against
giving assistance to the Korean indie
pendence movement, Colonel Mizu-
machi said that If they did not re-
frain from doing so "the Buddhists in
Japan would be able to find legal
reason for giving anti-British assis-
lance to those behind the non-co-
operation movement in India. The
same thing may be applied to the
Irish problem" he added.
The Japanese foreign office has
since disavowed responsibility for the
sentiments expressed by the colonel
has declared that it had no knowledge
of the latter and that 1t was the work
of one man.
Colonel Mizumachi endeavored to
show the missionaries the advisability
of supporting the attitude of Japan
toward Korea. He told them in the let
ter that If they refrained from inter
fering with any political matters, de-
voted themselves strictly to religious
works and to efforts In cooperation
with the Japanese authorities to edu-
cate the Koreans to be loyal subjects
OF Japan, he could assure them of the
aid Of the Japanese government and
people.
1.-THE rise and fall Of your work in
and out of Korea depends solely upon
Japanese government or not" he
wrote.
The colonel also undertook to define
the policy of the Chinese government
in Korea, saying: IF the Korean
peninsula should ever be brought un-
der the influence of any other power
than Japan, 1t would be the greatest
possible menace to the national de-
Tense of Japan. Japan can never per-
NIT Korea to be independent
He declared that law-defying Ko-
reans had established their base in
the Chientao district, and, In league
with Chinese bandits, had been driving
the 100000 Korean colonists in that
district to join them. Japan, he said
had asked the Chinese government to
control these rogues," but the Chi
nese did not do so. but on the con-
trary, maintained a secret understand
ing with them"
The Japanese investigator expressed
regret that schools and churches had
been burned, but declared they had
been used as sinks of iniquity" by the
Korean malcontents.
Replying to the missionaries
charges that innocent men had been
shot down without trial by the Japa-
nese troops, Colonel Miamuchi wrote:
I'VE regret that there may have been
some innocent ones among those shot, |!
but under the circumstances 1t has
been hardly possible to tell insurgent |
from innocent. 1t is unavoidable that |
some innocent men might have been |
executed by mistake. This, however. !
Of course. is against the real will of
the Japanese army" |
Such slow measures as appealing to |
the Japanese courts or to courtsmar-
tial were impracticable, the colonel
declared, as many Of the accused i
would escape.
Therefore, he added. the Japanese
troops executed these insurgents on
the spot after simple trial and after
evidence had been secured
backed by the statements of villagers"