The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1942-04-27
zNSs 1lpws From The lDorld Of Religion sz -
Churches in War Zones Suspicious
OF Both japanese and Vichy
Catholics md Professionals Doubt Sincerity
Of Lotest Ovsrturss of Recent Moves

te~fanf youth movements have
refused "a discriminate IN any
way against their Jewish and
foreign members. although
they have been asked In do 30
by the authorities.
Meanwhile. a report from Lisbon
states that the Naxi-controlled
Paris press and radio are stepping
up the campaign against Catholics.
accusing them Of participating in
Bolshevistic activities The cam
psign was explained. IN the Lisbon
dispatch. by the fact that the
Naxis have found no outstanding
Catholic leaders TO head their COL
laborationist policy in Paris.
TRIES TO SPLIT CHURCHES
That Japanese broadcast quot
ing DR.. Toyohiko Ksgawa. ia
nous Japanese Christian leader. as
asserting that Japanese Christians
are daily prayin~ for peace. may
be discounted a. a subtle piece Of
propaganda aiming TO divide the
American churches.
This In the view Of missionary
leaders VINO are well acquainted
with the Japanese situation. and
particularly with the workings of
japanese propaganda.
Tokyo's statement that japanese
Christians are praying for peace
IL regarded an being accurate. It
II quite natural that DIR. Kagawa
and other Japanese Christians
should pray for peace. They work.
ed and prayed for peace long be-
fore Pearl Harbor. A delegation
Of Japanese Christians, including
DR.. ksgaw1, came to the United
States q year ago and conferred
with a group of American relig-
Ious leaders in an effort to improve
relations between the two coun-
tries. Therefore, II Ia understand
able that Japanese Christians. who
did Everything possible to prevent
war. should now be praying for
peace.
But, Tokyo had \ definite
purpose In making this fact
known 10 the United States,
say missionary officials. and
that purpose was 20 cause
.split between the pacifist and
non paclfist elements In the
American churches. by start
ing . controversy over the
prayers Of japanese Christ
ttans for peace.
Today there is united front
in the American churches. Paei-
fists and non-pacifists are working
together on n program of common
spiritual service. Pacifists are not
obstructing the war effort. There
d no great controversy between
pacifists and non-paeifists TO dis
rupt unity. Church pronounce
ments continually stress the need
IF understanding between those
who participate in war and those
Tho are conscientiously opposed to
war. Tokyo would give a great |
teal. according 10 missionary lead /
,rs. to break up this united front |
Ind get church leaders quarreiing
With each other. So would Hitler |
ADVANCE OPENS
In the United States. an ALI
but spiritual offensive" was
aunched against paganism. mate
rislism and secularism when the /
United Christian Education Ad-
vance opened in Washington. |
Milwaukee. Dayton and |
,ther cities across the country. |
These were the first of some 155
local conventions to be held in -
states during the next two weeks
under the auspices of the Inter
national Council of Religious Ed
ucation. Church leaders in the
principal Protestant denominations
have been preparing for this ad-
vance for several years.
Speakers at the opening con-
ventions urged CREATED efforts
In spreading the message of
religion 20 the 10000 "un-
churchcd" young people In the
United States. They also APP
peaied for a united approach
among the churches TO COM
munity problems and con-
demned national and racial
bigctry.
At the Dayton. Ohio. convention. /
l. Harvey of New York. /
Negro member Of the speaking
staff. refused to participate in the
or at three other con-
ferences scheduled in Ohio cities
said his reason for with
drswsl was the fact that accom-
at Dayton hotels had
been denied him because he was
4 Negro.