Evening star., 1921-03-06
US. MISSION WORK
| HANGS IN BALANCE
Must Be More Active in Caro-
-; line and Marshall lsknds,
Says Japa'.
ONLY . WOMEN LEADERS
Savy Officer Says Religious Educa-
tlon Is Welcome Outside of
Schools.
BY JUNIUS Il. WOOD.

BY Cable to The Star and Chicago Daily News
Copyright, 1921.
kCSAI. Caroline Islands, February
- (via Yokohama, March 5).-Con-
tinuation of American missionary
work, which in the course of seventy
years has brought education and civil
lization to the natives of the Caroline
and Marshall islands. is hanging in
the balance today. The naval authori-
ties. carrying out Japan's mandatory
over the islands, say they will per-
NIT the work to continue temporarily.
though unless the Americans display
Increased activity Japanese mission
aries will be brought over to take
charge of the religious activities.
In late years the once vigorous pro-
motion of Christianity has been car
ried on with diminishing momentum,
directed by only three devoted Ameri-
can women working under the direc-
tion of the American Board of Com
missioners for Foreign Missions of
the Congregational Churches.
The naval authorities are closing
about a hundred mission schools.
which teach the Christian religion in
the language of the natives. as fast
as government schools can be opened.
Pm the public schools the teaching of
the Japanese language comes first
The natives complain of this as well
as of the precept now taught that
"the emperor is Cod" which is con-
trary to their previously acquired
ideas.
Navy Paying Expenses.
1t is said by the naval authorities
that there is no interference with the
religious work on the islands. The
ix ax-tv ha of VI
Japanese Protestant clergymen. who
are in charge of the missions on
Ruk and Ponape islands and also of
eight priests and twelve assistants,
whom the Pope was invited to send to
the islands to carry on Catholic ac-
tivities. According to the japanese
missionaries. naval funds are avail
able for the purchase of the Amerl-
can missionary properties on the Mar
shall Islands and on kusai Island.
The advanced school, under the
two Baldwin sisters in kusai. train
ing native teachers and pastors. con-
tinues in operation. About forty
primary schools in the Eastern Caro-
line and Marshall Islands. however,
already have been closed.
We realize the good work the
American missionaries have done to-
ward civilizing the islands" said
Rear Admiral Nozaki. the naval com
man1er OnCeF the Japanese HldHuh-
tory. I'VE propose to assume the
educational0vork. eventually closing
all the mission schools. though the
Kusai school will remain open during
the transitional stage. The pubic
school program contemplates the
teaching of household arts, manual
training and agriculture.
Church Education Welcomed.
I'VE consider it. our duty 10 en-
lighter the natives through educa-
ton and the influence of religion
church education, if il does not stand
in the way of government education.
viii surely be welcomed. However.
religious instruction will. not be per-
mitted in the public schools. Whether
any private schools will finally, be
allowed has not been decided"
The Marshall and Eastern Caro-
line islands are considered Christian.
as more than half of the adult popu-
lation are members of the church.
Outwardly their religion has the aus
terity of Puritan days. The Amer
lean board formerly had thirty mis-
sionaries here and expended s2,00e,-
600 in the work.