Evening star., 1924-07-21
JAPAN CHRISTIANS
PROTEST BAR IN US.
Movement Underf0ot to Free
Churches of All Foreign
Influences.
LASTING FRICTION SURE
Demand for More Independence
Has Been Hanging Fire
for Some Time.
LASTING FRICTION SURE
by F.. X. EGGER.

correspondence OF The Star and the Chicago
Daily News.
iohlo, June 2l.-The demand of
some leading japanese Christians
'hat the native churches sever th,ir
connections with American institu
'iohs IN protest against the enact
ment of the exclusion law is one or
the most unexpected and SURPRISING
'e'opmehts in connection with the
"sitdtion now sweeping the country.
" nile the Japanese Christians are nor
expected TO let their inGignation
'tNc them TO such lengths. there is
no doubt that the result OF this feel
ing viii have a lasting result on the
r"lauonS between them and the for
eiSn Christian forces which introduce
the gospel of the West into Japan
Students OF history well know the
strong opposition to the spread of
Christianity in Japan which sprang
up during the days of the "shoguns"
ana resulted in the instituting of
What might BE called an inouisition
Many priests and native believers
pald for their faith with their lives
Nhlle others lived for years in prison.
Oldest of Christians.
oiif VI lnOSe VINO was imprisoned
FOR his Christianity still lives in the
person of Tito kojIma. so years old,
resident of TOXIC. Today he is sa id
to be the oldest Japanese member of
inc Episcopal Church in this country.
becoming Christian early in his
youth. Mr. kojima was finally arrest
cd for violating the edict against the
foreign religion and was brought
from ShimonoSeki TO TOXIC in 1873 in
chains, under guard Of six ''Samurai" "
in fp
wear. his release being finally eff
fected through the efforts of the IA
nous British statesman. Gladstone.
then premier of Great Britain.
According TO the story as told by
Mr.. koJima, on the accession to the
throne Of the late Emperor MeIJl an
ambassador was sent to England
During An interview Gladstone ex-
pressed TO the Japanese envoy hIs
amazement that Japan. which had
accepted the Buddhism of India and
China. refused to accept the Chris
ttanity of the West.
Interference BY Gladstone.
IF my people have been intoierant
II Was under the reign OF another
dynasty-it will not be 80 under our
enlightened Emperor Meiji. the
diplomat is said to have replied.
Then why Go you Imprison Mr..
kojima for being a Christian: =.
Gladstone is said 10 have asked.
NOT because ne Is a CHRISTIAN. out
because he has deted the govern
ment, the ambassador replied.
Despite his defense of the actions
of mis- government, the Japanese
diplomat on his return home brought
about the release of Mr.. kojIma. who
remained unShaken in his taith. To-
day the aged Christian man predicts
the rapid spread of Christianity IN
Japan and sees in the great Sep
ttmber disaster an impetus for
Fastening the day when the new
gospel will be universal among the
people.
Among all the utierances OF speak
ers voicing their Indignation against
America for her exclusion act none
has indicated that the Japanese
Christians have lost their faith as a
result of this action. Their NAN
thought seems to be that they should
no longer depend for guidance OF
financial support upon the people OF
a nation whose actions. typIf1cd
In the exclusion law. are regarded
sS un-Christian and lacking the ex-
preston of Christian brotheTiy love.
Desire for Independence.
While this may be the first public
utteranCe of such thoughts on a wide
scale, there has long been an under
current of desire among the Japanese
Christians to become independent.