REPORT 
 
 OF 
 
 THE CHRISTIAN EMBASSY 
 
 TO 
 
 JAPAN 
 
 THE FEDERAL COUNCIL 
 
 OF THE 
 
 CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN AMERICA 
 
REPORT 
 
 TO THE 
 
 Commission on Relations with Japan 
 
 OF 
 
 The Federal Council 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Churches of Christ in America 
 
 BY 
 
 The Christian Embassy to Japan 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 PART FIRST 
 
 Introductory Statement. 
 
 Letter of Greetings from the Federal Council 
 of the Churches of Christ in America to 
 the Churches of Japan. 
 
 Address of Welcome by Dr. Ibuka Represent- 
 ing the Federated Churches of Japan. 
 
 Address of Welcome by Hon. Tawara, Gov- 
 ernor of Prefecture of Sendai. 
 
 Letter of Greetings from the Federated 
 Churches of Japan to the Federal Council 
 of the Churches of Christ in America. 
 
 Letter from the Tokyo Ministerial Association. 
 
 Letter of Greetings from the Conference of 
 Federated Missions to the Federal Coun- 
 cil of the Churches of Christ in America. 
 
 Letter from the Japan Continuation Commit- 
 tee to the Federal Council of the Churches 
 of Christ in America. 
 
 Vote of the Pastors and Christians of the 
 Protestant Churches of Osaka. 
 
 Vote of the Central Missionary Association, 
 Osaka. 
 
 Farewell Letters from Count Okuma. 
 
 PART SECOND 
 
 Report of the Embassy to Japan. 
 
 General Outline of Itinerary. 
 
 Special Mention. 
 
 Publication of Letters and Pamphlets. 
 
 The Gen&ral Message of the Embassy. 
 
 Findings. 
 
 Difficulties in the Way of Adjustment. 
 
 An Important Suggestion. 
 
 Recommendations. 
 
 PART THIRD 
 
 Action of the Commission on Relations with 
 Japan. 
 
 3 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2017 with funding from 
 Columbia University Libraries 
 
 https://archive.org/details/commissiononrelaOOfede 
 
INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT 
 
 In response to memorials from missionaries in Japan, 
 the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America 
 established April 17 , 1914, a “Commission on Relations 
 with Japan.” The work of this Commission is to “study 
 the entire question of the application of the teachings of 
 Christ to our relations with Japan, and to promote such 
 influences and activities as shall lead to the right relation- 
 ships between the peoples of these two nations.” 
 
 In carrying out this study the Commission of the 
 Federal Council sent to Japan an Embassy to carry the 
 greetings of the Christians of America to those of Japan. 
 The Embassy spent just one month in that land and re- 
 ceived a welcome far beyond anything it had anticipated. 
 
 A private letter of March 22d from Dr. J. L. Bear- 
 ing, Secretary of the Federated Missions, to Dr. Macfar- 
 land, gives some light as to the impression left by the 
 visit of the Embassy. 
 
 “It is too early yet to properly estimate the 
 value of this Embassy. I am sure, however, that 
 I am not wrong in saying that it far exceeds in 
 signiflcance what the promoters anticipated, or 
 what Dr. Mathews and Dr. Gulick dared to 
 hope. Certainly, we in Japan have been amazed 
 at the result. It scarcely seems possible that two 
 men coming in an unofficial capacity as far as 
 the Government is concerned could do so much 
 to allay suspicion and develop a confidence on 
 the part of the people generally toward America, 
 which had become decidedly shaken.” 
 
 5 
 
The following excerpt from a note from President 
 Ibuka to Dr. Gulick, dated March 24th, confirms Dr. 
 Dearing’s statement : 
 
 “There can be but one opinion in regard to 
 the inestimable value of your recent mission. A 
 flood of light has been shed on the problem. 
 
 That is of course the first thing in order to the 
 right solution.” 
 
 For the final success of the work of the Commission 
 on Relations with Japan, it is important that pastors gen- 
 erally should familiarize themselves with and inform their 
 people of the Findings and Recommendations of the Re- 
 port. Thus alone can the churches take their essential 
 part in setting right our relations with Asia. 
 
 Charles S. Macfarland, 
 
 General Secretary of the Federal Council of the ' 
 Churches of Christ in America. 
 
 April 30, 1915. 
 
 6 
 
PART FIRST 
 
 IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS 
 
 Letter of Greetings from the Federal Council of the 
 Churches of Christ in America to the Churches 
 of Christ in Japan 
 
 Greeting : 
 
 The Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in 
 America, on behalf of its thirty constituent denomina- 
 tions, has delegated two of our most honored and beloved 
 representatives to convey to you the assurance of our 
 love unfeigned and of our prayers in your behalf. 
 
 Professor Shailer Mathews, Doctor of Divinity, is 
 the Dean of the Divinity School of the University of 
 Chicago, an author widely known among us, and for this 
 quadrennium. President of the Federal Council. 
 
 The Rev. Sidney L. Gulick, Doctor of Divinity, needs 
 no introduction to you, for he has been a missionary in 
 Japan for many years. Since his return to America upon 
 his furlough, he has been invited to our most prominent 
 pulpits, has secured a hearing for the cause of Japan 
 by the foremost men of our nation, and returns to you 
 not only as your brother, but entrusted with the duty of 
 representing, with Dr. Mathews, this Federal Council. We 
 are thus sending to you those who are well qualified to 
 speak for us. 
 
 We beg to assure you, dear brethren, of the interest 
 with which we have noted the recent history of Japan, 
 that ancient and venerable nation with its notable achieve- 
 ments in the arts and sciences. With eager hand you 
 have grasped what other peoples could offer for the en- 
 richment of your life, and in turn you have contributed 
 to the life of the world the inspiration of your fine en- 
 thusiasm. You have felt the stimulation of ethical ideals, 
 the transcendant significance of moral values. In the in- 
 dustrial, intellectual and moral fields of your activity. 
 America has noted your unwearied progress. 
 
 But our deepest interest and sympathy have been 
 evoked by the numbers of those who have been reaching 
 
 7 
 
out eager hands to God. Beyond all else the spectacle of 
 so many in Japan, seeking after a deeper and stronger 
 spiritual life, has moved and still moves our hearts. It 
 is with such sympathy toward you, beloved brethren, that 
 we send our messengers to you. 
 
 We believe that the religion of Jesus makes its 
 largest possible contribution to the peace and uplift of 
 the world, not when it undertakes by ecclesiastical utter- 
 ances and activities to solve the complex intellectual and 
 practical problems of civilization, but rather when it leads 
 men to the inner life of spiritual self-mastery and self- 
 devotion, helps them to learn the privilege and joy of 
 absolute trust in Christ our Lord, and enables them to ap- 
 preciate the obligation of such loyal devotion to Him as 
 finds expression in holy and unselfish service of humanity. 
 
 We are sending these, our brethren, to tell you as no 
 written word of ours can tell, the sincerity of our affec- 
 tion, the eagerness of our desire, and the steady persua- 
 sion of our hope that we all, of the East and of the West, 
 shall be one in Jesus Christ. 
 
 We pray ,that in your land and in ours, faith shall 
 have its satisfying vision of our Lord, that love shall be 
 sanctified by His fellowship, and that our common life 
 shall be broadened in its sympathies and beautified with 
 His likeness. 
 
 May the God of love unite our hearts in the bonds of 
 holy sympathy, and bring us all into the joy of fellow- 
 ship one with another, through that diviner fellowship 
 which is with the Father and with His Son our Saviour. 
 
 May peace and prosperity abide in all the homes of 
 Japan. May your schools be centers of intellectual light 
 and your churches centers of moral life and spiritual 
 power. May believers be multiplied and all your land be 
 blest by Him who is the Light of the World, the Re- 
 deemer of men. 
 
 Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling 
 and to present you faultless before the presence of his 
 glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our 
 Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power both 
 now and ever. Amen. 
 
 Your brethren in Christ: 
 
 The Federal Council of the Churches 
 of Christ in America. 
 
 Charles S. Macfarland, 
 
 General Secretary. 
 
 8 
 
Address by Dr. K. Ibuka, representing the Federated 
 Churches of Japan, delivered at the Welcome Ban- 
 quet given by Churches and Missions of Japan to 
 the Embassy of the Federal Council, January 28, 
 1915. 
 
 Ladies and Gentlemen: 
 
 It is a great pleasure to me to-night, on behalf of the 
 Federation of Christian Churches in Japan, to extend our 
 guests our most cordial welcome. 
 
 Most of us have now for the first time the honor of 
 meeting Dr. Mathews, but his name is by no means un- 
 known to us. We have read his books and articles on 
 the vital problems of Christianity with much interest and 
 greatly to our profit. We welcome him, therefore, for 
 what he is to us himself no less than as Chairman of the 
 Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America. 
 
 A visit of such a man as Dr. Mathews to Japan would 
 always be cause for congratulations ; but it seems to me 
 his visit at this time is peculiarly opportune. The Protes- 
 tant Churches and missionaries in Japan are now in the 
 midst of the National Evangelistic Campaign, and in this 
 he can render valuable aid. The other reason is the pres- 
 ent world situation, regarding which it is well that men 
 of every nation meet together in counsel. 
 
 Men to-day are standing with bated breath, bewil- 
 dered at the spectacle of the gigantic struggle going on in 
 Europe.- For a half century or so the newly awakened 
 East has looked up to the civilization of the West as the 
 highest type of civilization the world has ever known. 
 But it is now trembling in the balance. The great and 
 growing movement for peace seems to have ended in 
 smoke. The beautiful Palace of Peace at the Hague has 
 become a by-word for mockery. 
 
 But this is not all. The civilization of Europe has 
 been pointed to in the East as pre-eminently Christian ; 
 and men are asking us Christians, “Where is your God ?” 
 Where is the Kingdom of God which you proclaim as 
 the supreme aim of life? Where is the brotherhood of 
 man so often on your lips? What is the real value of 
 Christianity to the world ? Do not Christian philosophers 
 and theologians themselves admit that, after all, might 
 is right? 
 
 9 
 
We all know that these are no new taunts. The 
 Christians in the early centuries had to face essentially 
 the same taunts. Indeed, they are as old as faith in God. 
 But to-day they are repeated with a new incisiveness, and 
 they form a new barrier in the path of the advancement 
 of the Kingdom of God. We are therefore glad to have 
 with us one so well fitted to answer the question, “Watch- 
 man, what of the night? What are its signs of Promise?” 
 
 But Dr. Mathews has come to Japan on a special 
 errand ; and on that errand we welcome- him and bid him 
 Godspeed. 
 
 It is no secret that in recent years questions have 
 arisen that have interrupted the long years of mutual 
 friendship between America and Japan. That those ques- 
 tions present real difficulties for solution cannot be denied ; 
 but we are confident that they can be solved. Two things, 
 however, seem to me necessary. 
 
 First, we must come and reason together. On each 
 side there must be a patient willingness to learn and to 
 ponder the grounds on which the judgments of the other 
 are based. I am sure that a free and frank interchange 
 of thoughts between Dr. Mathews and men who guide 
 public opinion in Japan will prove of high value. But this 
 alone is not enough. On both sides alike it must be rec- 
 ognized that in things international, no less truly than in 
 things of the individual, the highest law is the law of the 
 Spirit of Christ. 
 
 Dr. Gulick, our other guest, needs no introduction or 
 letter of commendation. He is well known to us all 
 and has a place of honor among us ; and we welcome him 
 back to Japan after his year of strenuous labor in the 
 Christian cause of international goodwill and justice. 
 
 10 
 
Welcome Address by Hon. Tawara, Governor of the 
 Prefecture of Sendai, February 6, 1915 ‘ 
 
 With great pleasure I have the honor of -welcoming 
 to-day our distinguished guests from America, Dr. Shailer 
 Mathews and Dr. Gulick. 
 
 Dr. Mathews, as the President of the Federal Coun- 
 cil of the Churches of Christ in America, represents thirty 
 denominations and 17,000,000 of Christian men and 
 women, and brings to us the goodwill of the American 
 people. He comes for the purpose of making the relation 
 between America and Japan better and more intimate in 
 accordance with the teaching of Christ. I have not the 
 least doubt that his great scholarship and the great weight 
 of his personality will fully bring about the desired result 
 and accomplish this great purpose. 
 
 We learn that the Federal Council of the Churches 
 of Christ in America aims, not only to make the relation 
 between America and Japan more intimate and cordial, 
 but also to endeavor to clear up misunderstandings among 
 the nations. As misunderstandings are obstacles to the 
 good friendship of individuals, so they are most danger- 
 ous between nations, often threatening to cause the break- 
 ing of international relations. Nearly all the international 
 troubles, and even wars, have been caused by misunder- 
 standings. We have many reasons to believe that the 
 present war among European powers is largely due to 
 misunderstandings. 
 
 The Federal Council, also, tries to promote the peace 
 of the world and to put international relations upon the 
 foundation of the teachings of the Gospel. There is no 
 work more urgent and more important ; no aim higher 
 and nobler. 
 
 It is a most significant fact that you, who have so 
 great a mission, have come to Sendai first. Here in this 
 city there are many missionaries from the United States. 
 They are actively and earnestly engaged in Evangelistic, 
 Educational, Philanthropical and Social work. xA. few 
 years ago when North Japan was visited by various calam- 
 
 I. The Embassy was the recipient of many addresses of welcome both in 
 Japanese and English The address here presented was the first of 
 addresses by Governors 
 
 11 
 
ities, such as the failure of crops and floods, causing 
 famines, they were not slow in extending helping hands to 
 the poor and needy. They have not spared their energies 
 in raising relief funds in their own country, in their efforts 
 to save both the bodies and souls of men. The memory 
 of all this is still fresh in our minds. For all this effort 
 of the American missionaries, for their social services and 
 their constant goodwill, not only to Christians but to the 
 people in general, we feel deeply grateful. 
 
 So we welcome both of you most heartily and cor- 
 dially. It is our sincere desire that you may continue to 
 enjoy good health, and to accomplish your great mission. 
 Again we welcome you from the bottom of our hearts. 
 
 12 
 
Letter of Greetings from the Federal Council of the 
 Churches of Christ in Japan to the Federal Coun- 
 cil of the Churches of Christ in America 
 
 Tokyo, February 15th, 1915. 
 
 The Rev. Charles S. Macfarland, 
 
 General Secretary of the Federal Council of the 
 Churches of Christ in America. 
 
 Dear Brother: 
 
 Greeting : 
 
 We were much pleased to receive your letter ad- 
 dressed to the churches of our federation brought by Dr. 
 Mathews and Dr. Gulick as representatives of your 
 council. 
 
 We feel very thankful that these two brethren have 
 been eagerly striving to discharge their mission ever since 
 their arrival in our land by traveling throughout the 
 country. 
 
 Our federation consists of ten Protestant denomina- 
 tions in Japan. Our membership is not much more than 
 
 70.000, but this number represents the majority of Protes- 
 tant membership of Japan, which altogether amounts to 
 
 90.000, 
 
 The total number of Christians in Japan is less than 
 
 200.000, even including Roman Catholic membership. 
 
 For while the number of Christians in Japan cannot 
 
 be said to be very large, those who are in favor of Chris- 
 tianity are several hundred per cent. more. In fact, 
 Christian ethical ideas, and the Christian view of life are 
 sweeping through the mind of the educated class. Espe- 
 cially of late inquirers are coming from all classes. 
 
 The above-mentioned brethren were very heartily 
 welcomed everywhere, both by the official class and by the 
 people in general, and they have been given ample oppor- 
 tunity to express freely their convictions both in their ad- 
 dresses and in their conferences. This is but one sign 
 of the ripeness of time for the evangelization of the en- 
 tire country. 
 
 Again, that the special three year Evangelistic cam- 
 paign which started last year is to be an opportunity Tor 
 a great revival, we do not doubt. Indeed, this is a great 
 blessing which the Lord has shown to Japan, and which 
 is also the fruits of self-sacrificing services rendered by 
 the missionaries whom the churches in your country have 
 sent us. For all these we are grateful. 
 
 13 
 
It is, we believe, the responsibility of the two coun- 
 tries with their historic friendship, that in grateful re- 
 sponse to unbounded grace from on high, the one from 
 this side of the Pacific, and the other from the other side, 
 should contribute toward the peace of the world, and 
 toward the happiness of entire humanity, by bringing into 
 light the fundamental principles of brotherhood of all 
 nations. 
 
 The problem which of late years originated in one 
 part of your country and now exists between Japan and 
 America can only be solved by each other’s better under- 
 standing, and by mutual practice of the “Royal Lav/.” 
 
 We feel strengthened in our belief that the action of 
 your Council in sending the two brethren is but a begin- 
 ning af a new movement to this end. 
 
 May the rich blessings of God be. upon the churches 
 of your country. 
 
 (Signed) Hiromichi Kosaki, 
 
 President, Federal Council of the Churches of 
 
 Christ in Japan. 
 
 (Signed) Kikutaro Matsuno, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 14 
 
LETTER FROM THE TOKYO MINISTERIAL 
 ASSOCIATION 
 
 . Tokyo, Japan, February 9th, 1915. 
 
 The Rev. Charles S. Macfarland, D.D., 
 
 Secretary of the Federal Council of the Churches 
 of Christ in America. 
 
 My dear Sir: 
 
 It is with feelings of grief and the deepest concern 
 that we contemplate those unhappy incidents of recent 
 date which throw a cloud over the delightfully intimate 
 relations which have always existed between our two 
 countries, Japan and America. It does, indeed, seem to 
 us that, without doubt, these are matters which ought to 
 be easy of adjustment by the responsible diplomatic rep- 
 resentatives of the two Governments in the familiarity of 
 friendly negotiation, and yet we cannot but feel that they 
 should not be left entirely in the hands of politicians and 
 diplomats. We believe that we Christians of both nations, 
 approaching such problems, as we commonly do, from 
 the standpoint of justice and humanity, should do our 
 utmost towards their solution. And it is for this reason 
 that we are deeply impressed by the action of . the Federal 
 Council of the Churches of Christ in America in sending 
 to our country your President, the Rev. Dr. Mathews, and 
 also the Rev. Dr. Gulick, at this time, and we wish hereby 
 to express our deep appreciation of their fraternal visit. 
 
 We believe there is a responsibility resting upon the 
 Christian believers in both countries to make increasingly 
 real, as the years pass, the cordiality of those friendly re- 
 lations, which, with the blessing of God, have continued 
 so happily during these fifty years and more of inter- 
 course between us, and thus contribute to the peace of 
 the world. This is why we Christians of the East and 
 West alike should exert ourselves to awaken and foster 
 a healthy public sentiment among our peoples with a 
 view to a fundamental solution of our mutual problems, 
 and we hope to put forth our best endeavors to this end. 
 
 The Tokyo Ministerial Association wishes to convey 
 to your honorable body profound thanks for your Chris- 
 tian brotherliness, and we pray that the Divine grace and 
 benediction may abide richly upon you. 
 
 Yours sincerely, 
 
 (Signed) Kota Hoshino, 
 Chairman, Tokyo Ministerial Association. 
 15 
 
Letter of Greetings from the Conference of Federated 
 Missions in Japan to the Federal Council of 
 the Churches of Christ in America 
 
 March 17th, 1915. 
 
 The Rev. Charles S. Macfarland, D.D., 
 
 General Secretary of the Federal Council of the 
 Churches of Christ in America. 
 
 Dear Dr. Macfarland: 
 
 We have been instructed by the Executive Commit- 
 tee of the Conference of Federated Missions in Japan to 
 send you “a letter of appreciation of the valuable services” 
 rendered by Drs. Mathews and Gulick on the occasion of 
 their recent visit to Japan ; and it is with great pleasure 
 that we respond to the request. 
 
 As you are doubtless aware, it is no strange thing, 
 either to the Japanese or the missionaries working among 
 them, to welcome distinguished persons from America, 
 or other foreign countries, who come as representatives 
 of various organizations or interests with which people in 
 this country are more or less concerned. We believe, 
 however, we are safe in saying, that never in the history 
 of missionary work in this land has a deputation visited 
 us who dealt with more important issues, in a more satis- 
 factory manner, and at a more opportune moment than 
 the brethren to whom this letter refers. 
 
 The time spent in Japan was short, but to say that 
 every moment of it was employed in the best possible way 
 is, we believe, only the simple truth and we trust that 
 the strength of the visitors was not overtaxed. 
 
 It is obviously inadvisable that we should go into de- 
 tails but we might mention that to many of us the out- 
 standing feature of the addresses delivered by your depu- 
 tation was their manly, straightforward, Christian char- 
 acter. They were a fine exhibition of the Pauline prin- 
 ciple “Speaking the Truth in Love” and it is believed that 
 the Japanese, generally, were deeply and favorably im- 
 pressed by this method of dealing with great issues. It 
 is probable that Dr. Mathews, especially, as a visitor for 
 the first time to the country, could go further in the way 
 of plain speaking, than it might be advisable for the mis- 
 sionary residents here to do, but it may be that we shall 
 find we ought to learn from him in this regard. 
 
 16 
 
Please allow us, therefore, on behalf of our Confer- 
 ence to thank your Council for sending Dr. Mathews and 
 Dr. Gulick to this country, and to assure you that their 
 work, both here and in America, on behalf of the great 
 object they have in view, will be followed and remembered 
 earnestly in prayer and thanksgiving by the missionary 
 body represented by us and, we believe we may add with- 
 out doubt, by a large number of our Japanese friends and 
 brethren who have fellowship with us in the Gospel. 
 
 With all good wishes, believe us to be, 
 
 Yours sincerely in Christ Jesus, 
 
 (Signed) J. Cooper Robinson, 
 
 Chairman. 
 
 (Signed) John Lincoln Dearing, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 17 
 
Letter from the Japan Continuation Committee of the 
 National Missionary Conference, Tokyo, 1915 
 
 75 Bluff, Yokohama, March 1, 1915. 
 
 Rev. Charles S. Macfarland, D.D., Secretary, 
 
 Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America. 
 
 Dear Dr. Macfarland: 
 
 1 am instructed by the Executive Committee of the 
 Continuation Committee in Japan to express to you our 
 appreciation of the action of the Federal Council in send- 
 ing to Japan Dr. Shailer Mathews and Dr. S. L. Gulick, 
 bringing the letter of goodwill and Christian greeting 
 from your Council. The good results likely to follow 
 their visit are beyond calculation. We deeply appreciate 
 the spirit which prompted the sending of these brethren 
 to Japan, and desire to express our deep gratitude for 
 their coming, representing as they do so large a company 
 of the Christian people in America. 
 
 Yours very respectfully, 
 
 (Signed) John L. Dearing, 
 'Secretary, Continuation Committee of Japan. 
 
 
 18 
 
VOTE OF THE PASTORS AND CHRISTIANS OF 
 THE PROTESTANT CHURCHES OF OSAKA 
 
 To the Federal Council of Churches in America: 
 
 We, the Pastors and Christians of all the Protestant 
 Churches in Osaka, Japan, express our sincere gratitude 
 to the Federal Council of Churches in America, for send- 
 ing to us two distinguished Christian Scholars, Doctors 
 Shailer Mathews and Sidney L. Gulick to promote a 
 more friendly feeling between the United States of 
 America and Japan. 
 
 We pray that our international problem may be 
 solved by our common Father, in the name of His Son, 
 Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, King of Kings and 
 Lord of Lords, who taught us the universal law of the 
 Brotherhood of man. 
 
 May the day soon come when to his name all glory 
 and praise shall be ascribed. 
 
 Fraternally yours, 
 
 (Signed) T. Kugimiya, 
 Chairman of the Osaka Reception Committee. 
 Osaka, Japan, 
 
 February 21st, 1915. 
 
 VOTE OF THE CENTRAL MISSIONARY ASSO- 
 CIATION, OSAKA, JAPAN 
 
 The following resolution was passed by a unani- 
 mous vote of th^ body of the Central Japan Missionary 
 Association, meeting in Osaka, February 22nd, 1915; 
 
 “Voted — That we request Drs. Mathews and Gulick 
 to use their influence with the Federated Council of the 
 Churches of Christ in America to send, whenever feasible, 
 a second Commission to Japan to continue the timely 
 work so well begun by their first Commission.” 
 
 (Signed) J. B. Hail, 
 
 President. 
 
 (Signed) Wm. H. Erskine, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 19 
 
FAREWELL LETTERS FROM COUNT OKUMA 
 
 Premier’s Office 
 
 Tokyo, February 19th, 1915. 
 
 My dear Doctor Mathews: 
 
 Now that you have met no small number of repre- 
 sentative men of Japan and have talked with them on 
 their own ground, I trust you have found that there is 
 in the bottom of their heart nothing but a feeling of 
 genuine friendship toward America. 
 
 True that they all feel chagrined at the unfortunate 
 anti-Japanese agitation which of recent years has found 
 expression in the press and council of certain sections of 
 the United States. So far, however, that has not dis- 
 turbed their implicit faith in the high sense of justice 
 and righteousness of the Christian people of America, 
 from whose thought nothing is farther than wounding the 
 susceptibilities of a friendly neighbor. On the contrary, 
 thoughtful people of Japan felt it all the more imperative 
 to cultivate a better understanding with American people, 
 because they thought whatever difficulties there may exist 
 in the present relations of the two countries these were 
 largely due to lack of such an understanding between 
 them. 
 
 I warmly reciprocate the sentiment conveyed in the 
 messages which you brought from your President and the 
 Secretary of State to the people of my country and in so 
 doing I am only interpreting the true feeling of my coun- 
 trymen. 
 
 In bidding you farewell, I wish you, my dear Doctor, 
 a success that will deserve your noble endeavors in the 
 interest of common good of our two peoples. 
 
 Yours very truly, 
 
 (Signed) Okuma. 
 
 Dr. Shailer Mathews, 
 
 Imperial Hotel, 
 
 Tokyo. 
 
 20 
 
Premier’s Office 
 
 Tokyo, February 19th, 1915. 
 
 My dear Doctor Gulick: 
 
 I send you herewith enclosed a copy of the letter 
 which I wrote to your distinguished co-worker. Dr. 
 Shailer Mathews. 
 
 It is hardly necessary for me to repeat how much 
 your work, which has for its aim cultivation of a better 
 understanding between the people of our two countries, 
 is appreciated here in Japan. To us it is especially grati- 
 fying 'that this important work is in the hands of a man 
 like you, who, to say nothing of his high quality, has 
 lived among us for so many years and understands us so 
 thoroughly and therefore can tell his own people with 
 authority what are our true aims and aspirations. 
 
 I trust that the message which you are now to take 
 home with you will be one of genuine friendship and 
 goodwill from Japan. 
 
 Yours very truly, 
 
 (Signed) Okuma. 
 
 Dr. Sidney L. Gulick, 
 
 Imperial Hotel, 
 
 Tokyo. 
 
 21 
 
PART SECOND 
 
 REPORT OF THE EMBASSY 
 
 TO THE COMMISSION ON RELATIONS WITH 
 JAPAN OF THE FEDERAL COUNCIL OF 
 THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN 
 'AMERICA 
 
 The undersigned, members of the Christian Embassy 
 to Japan, have the honor to submit the following report. 
 
 By action of the Federal Council of the Churches of 
 Christ in America the undersigned were appointed to 
 serve as a Christian Embassy to Japan. 
 
 Sailing from San Francisco January 9th we spent 
 one afternoon and night at Honolulu, where we received 
 the first of our welcome banquets and made our first ad- 
 dresses. We landed in Yokohama Wednesday, January 
 27th, and found that the committee of the Japanese Fed- 
 eration of Churches, in co-operation with the Secretary 
 of the Federated Missions, Rev. J. L. Bearing, D.D., had 
 arranged a complete program for the entire time of our 
 stay. This program, although continually expanded,' was 
 followed without material change. It involved addresses 
 and sermons before the Japanese Christians, educational 
 institutions and missionary bodies, in addition to banquets, 
 receptions, conferences, and incidental engagements both 
 social and literary. The total number of these engage- 
 ments was two hundred and twenty-three, of which one 
 hundred and thirty-two were addresses, lectures and ser- 
 mons, forty-nine were formal luncheons, dinners, ban- 
 quets and sermons, and forty-three were conferences and 
 
 interviews. 
 
 Mr. Mathews’ Addresses 89 
 
 Mr. Gulick’s Addresses 42 
 
 Luncheons, Dinners and Banquets 38 
 
 Receptions 11 
 
 Interviews and Conferences 43 
 
 223 
 
 The reception given your representatives, not only 
 by the Pastors, Christians and Missionaries, but also by 
 the highest representatives of the nation, official and un- 
 official, surpassed our most sanguine anticipations. Op- 
 
 22 
 
portunities were given us for many unhurried confer- 
 ences, both public and confidential. The addresses and 
 statements on both sides, while evincing absolute good 
 will, were characterized by remarkable frankness and 
 definiteness. Your commission returns from Japan with 
 profound conviction of having been admitted not only 
 to the inner circles of Japan’s best life, but also to the 
 real thought and desire of the responsible leaders of the 
 nation. 
 
 The press of Japan, both English and vernacular, was 
 most generous in its report of our movements and ad- 
 dresses. ’ These editorials expressed a warmth of wel- 
 come and appreciation that was highly gratifying to all 
 who are seeking to promote right relations between 
 America and Japan. 
 
 A detailed narrative of the crowded events of the 
 months would be far too long. We accordingly condense 
 these statements into a bare chronological table. 
 
 23 
 
A GENERAL OUTLINE OF ITINERARY 
 
 The members of your Commission were together 
 most of the time. It seemed wise, however, for greater 
 effectiveness to separate on two or three occasions. We 
 spent the first ten days in Tokyo. Both of us went to 
 Sendai for two days. Mr. Mathews went thence for one 
 day to Morioka in the extreme north while Mr. Gulick 
 returned to Tokyo for conferences. After three addi- 
 tional days in Tokyo, together we went to Kyoto and 
 Kobe. 
 
 From Kobe Mr. Mathews went to the extreme south, 
 visiting Kumamoto, Fukuoka, Yamaguchi, Hiroshima 
 and Okayama. Mr. Gulick remained in Kobe and Osaka 
 for two days, then went to Matsuyama, joining Mr. 
 Mathews at Hiroshima. Kyoto and Osaka occupied us 
 for two more days. On his return to Tokyo Mr. Mathews 
 alone stopped over at Nagoya for a half day. The last 
 three days in Japan were crowded with appointments in 
 Tokyo and Yokohama. 
 
 Advance letters to Japan had suggested that while 
 Mr. Mathews was prepared to respond liberally to invita- 
 tions for addresses and lectures, it seemed desirable that 
 Mr. Gulick should reserve his time for personal inter- 
 views and private conferences. This suggestion was car- 
 ried out. As a result Mr. Mathews spoke not only at 
 the regular receptions and Christian gatherings, but also 
 at all the principal Universities and Higher Educational 
 Institutions of the land. He was accompanied through- 
 out the entire time by Professor Chiba, of the Baptist 
 Theological Seminary, who ably interpreted for him 
 wherever needed. 
 
 24 
 
PROGRAM 
 
 Wed., Jan. 27 
 
 Thurs., Jan. 28 
 
 Jan. 29 
 
 Sat., Jan. 30 
 
 Sun., Jan. 31 
 
 YOKOHAMA 
 
 Met on the steamer by representatives 
 of the Federated Churches, Feder- 
 ated Missions, and the English and 
 Japanese press. 
 
 TOKYO 
 
 Asiatic Society Annual Dinner (S. M. 
 & S. L. G.) 
 
 Address (S. M.) 
 
 Formal call upon Ambassador Guth- 
 rie (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 Welcome Banquet, Federation of 
 Churches and Federated Missions. 
 
 Addresses (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 Conference with Messrs. Fisher and 
 Clement (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 Address Duncan Academy (S. M.) 
 
 Conference with President Naruse 
 (S. L. G.) 
 
 Conference with Ambassador Guth- 
 rie (S. L. G.) 
 
 Interview with Representative of Ni- 
 chinichi Shinbun (S. L. G.) 
 
 Conference with Vice-Minister of 
 Foreign Affairs Mr. K. Matsui 
 (S. L. G.) 
 
 Welcome Dinner, Japan Peace So- 
 ciety, Addresses (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 Formal Reception by Count Okuma, 
 Prime Minister (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 Reception by Tokyo Pastors. 
 
 Addresses (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 YOKOHAMA 
 
 Address, Japanese Baptist Church 
 (S. M.) 
 
 Sermon, English Union Church (S.M.) 
 
 25 
 
TOKYO 
 
 Sun , Jan. 31 
 
 Sermon, English Union Church (S.M.) 
 Sermon, Japanese Ginza Methodist 
 Church (S. M.) 
 
 Conference and Lunch with Baron 
 ^ Shibusawa (S. L. G.) 
 
 Mon., Feb. 1 
 
 Conference, President T. Harada (S. 
 
 . L. G.) 
 
 Interview with Representative of Jiji 
 . Shimpo (S. L. G.) 
 
 d'ues., Feb. 2 
 
 Address, Disciple’s Mission School 
 (S. M.) 
 
 Address, Baptist Theological Sem. 
 (S. M.) 
 
 Conference, Rev. K. Kozaki (S. L. G.) 
 Interview, Representative of Taiyo (S. 
 
 L. G.) 
 
 Banquet at Dr. and Mrs. Nitobe’s (S. 
 
 M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 Wed., Feb. 3 
 
 Address, St. Paul School (Episc.) 
 (S. M.) 
 
 Lecture, Imperial University (S. M.) 
 Address, Mass Meeting, Y. M. C. A. 
 (S. M.) 
 
 Thurs., Feb. 4 
 
 Formal Reception and Conference by 
 Baron Kato, Minister of Foreign 
 Affairs (S. M. & S. L. G.) _ 
 Lecture, Aoyama Gaku-iu (Me'th. Col- 
 lege) (S. M.) 
 
 Reception and- Address, Baptist Mis- 
 sionaries (S. M.) 
 
 Thurs., Feb. 4 
 
 Conference with Peace Committee of 
 Federated Churches. 
 
 Address (S. L. G.) 
 
 Addresses, Mass Meeting, Y. M. C. A. 
 (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 Fri., Feb. 5 
 
 Lecture, Meiji Gaku-iu (Presby. Col- 
 lege) (S. M.) _ 
 
 Lecture, Keio University (S. M.) 
 Conference with Messrs. Abe and Su- 
 zuki (S. L. G.) 
 
 26 
 
Fri., Feb. 5 
 
 Sat., Feb. 6 
 
 Conference with a group of Lawyers, 
 Professors, M. P.’s and Ministers, 
 at G. M. Fisher’s (S. M.,& S' L. G.) 
 
 Address Central Tabernacle (Japanese 
 Methodist) (S. M.) 
 
 Lecture, Meiji Dai Gakko (Imperial 
 Law School) (S. M.) 
 
 Lecture, Waseda University (S. M.) 
 
 Formal Luncheon by Count Okuma 
 (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 Address (S. M.) 
 
 Public Reception at Count Okuma’s 
 (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 Address (S. M.) 
 
 Addresses, Waseda University Chris- 
 tian Students’ Dormitory (S. M. & 
 ■ S. L. G.) 
 
 Reception and Dinner, Keio Univer- 
 sity Club (S. M: & S. L. G.) 
 
 Address (S. M.) 
 
 Address and Conference with Keio 
 University Professors (S. L. G.) 
 
 Address Chinese Y. M. C. A. (S. M.) 
 
 Sun., Feb. 7 
 
 SENDAI 
 
 Sermon, Japanese Baptist Church 
 (S. M.) • 
 
 Sermon, Japanese Congregational 
 ■ Church (S. L. G.) 
 
 Sermon, English Union Church 
 (S. M.) 
 
 Sermon, Union Meeting Japanese 
 Christians (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 Mon., Feb. 8 
 
 Address, Boys’ School (S. M.) 
 
 Address, Girls’ School (Baptist) 
 (S. M.) 
 
 Address, Boys’ School (German Re- 
 formed) (S. M.) 
 
 Lunch with Governor, Officials and 
 Professors at Baptist Girls’ School 
 (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 Official Reception by Governor, Pro- 
 fessors and Leading Citizens. 
 
 Addresses (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 27 
 
Mon., Feb. 8 
 
 Tnes., Feb. 9 
 
 Dinner with Sendai Pastors at Rev. 
 and Mrs. Gerhardt’s (S. M. & S. 
 L. G.) 
 
 Addresses, Students’ Mass Meeting 
 (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 Conference with Sendai Pastors (S. 
 L. G.) 
 
 MORIOKA 
 
 Luncheon to Governor by Rev. M. 
 
 Stradman (S. M.) 
 
 Address (S. M.) 
 
 Address, Citizens’ Meeting (S. M.) 
 Dinner by Governor, Address (S. M.) 
 Sermon, Baptist Church (S. M.) 
 
 Tues., Feb. 9 
 
 TOKYO 
 
 Conference with Mr. M. Hanihara, 
 Chief of Bureau of Telegraphs 
 (S. L. G.) 
 
 Address and Conference with joint 
 session of two special Committees 
 of Fifteen of the two Peace So- 
 cieties (S. L. G.) 
 
 Dinner and Address and Conference 
 with American Peace Society Spe- 
 cial Committee of Fifteen (S. L. G.) 
 
 Wed., Feb. 10 
 
 Luncheon and Conference with Tokyo 
 • Pastors (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 Address, Foreign Language School 
 (S. M.) 
 
 Address, Missionaries’ Japanese Lan- 
 guage School (S. M.) 
 
 Banquet by Association Concordia. 
 Addresses (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 Thurs., Feb. 11 
 
 Addresses, Women’s University (S. 
 M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 Luncheon, Women’s University (S. 
 M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 YOKOHAMA 
 
 Address, Mass Meeting Japanese 
 Christians (S. M.) 
 
 Lecture, Yokohama Literary Society 
 (S. M.) 
 
 28 
 
TOKYO 
 
 Fri., Feb. 12 
 
 Conference with Baron Sakatani (S. 
 L. G.) 
 
 Lunch with Baron Sakatani (S. M. 
 & S. L. G.) 
 
 Address, First Koto Gakko (Higher 
 School) (S. M.) 
 
 Reception, Shunjukwai (Tokyo Press 
 Men’s Club). 
 
 Addresses (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 Sat., Feb. 13 
 
 KYOTO 
 
 Address, Doshisha (S. M.) 
 
 Lunch by President Harada and Do- 
 shisha Professors (S. M. & S. 
 L. G.) 
 
 Reception by Kyoto Pastors and Mis- 
 sionaries. 
 
 Addr^esses (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 Address, Kyoto Imperial University 
 (S. M.) 
 
 Banquet, Kyoto Peace Society. 
 Addresses (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 Sun., Feb. 14 
 
 KOBE 
 
 Sermon, Japanese Baptist Church 
 (S. M.) 
 
 Sermon, English Union Church 
 (S. M.) 
 
 KYOTO 
 
 • 
 
 Sermon, English Union Church (S. 
 L. G.) 
 
 Conference, Students’ Christian Liter- 
 ature Distribution Society (S. 
 L. G.) 
 
 Conference with Prof. Suyehiro of 
 Imperial University (S. L. G.) 
 
 OSAKA 
 
 Address, City Teachers’ Association 
 (S. M.) 
 
 Sermon, Baptist Japanese Church 
 (S. M.) 
 
 29 
 
KOBE 
 
 Mon., Feb. 15 Address, Higher Commercial School 
 (S. M.) 
 
 Addresses and Conference, Kobe 
 Branch American Peace Society 
 Special Committee (S. L. G.) 
 American Association Annual Dinner. 
 Addresses (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 Address, Kwansei Gaku-in (Method- 
 ist College) (S. M.) 
 
 Banquet and Reception by Kobe Pas- 
 tors and Missionaries. 
 
 Addresses (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 Addresses, Mass Meeting of Citizens 
 (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 FUKUOKA 
 
 Tues., Feb. 16 Address, Christian Workers (S. M.) 
 
 Lecture, Imp?rial University (S. M.) 
 Dinner to Governor, Lawyers and 
 Officials by Rev. M. Dozier. 
 Address (S. M.) 
 
 Address, Fukuoka Citizens’ Mass 
 Meeting (S. M.) 
 
 KOBE 
 
 Address, Kobe College (S. L. G.) 
 
 OSAKA 
 
 Address and Conference with Mission- 
 aries (S. L. G.) 
 
 KOBE 
 
 Dinner by Mr. Hahn (S. L. G.) 
 Address and Conference with Special 
 Committee of American Asiatic As- 
 sociation (S. L. G.) 
 
 KUMAMOTO 
 
 Wed., Feb. 17 Address, Citizens’ Mass Meeting 
 (S. M.) ■ 
 
 Dinner by Governor and Address 
 (S. M.) 
 
 Address, Mass Meeting of Japanese 
 Educators (S. M.) 
 
 30 
 
OSAKA 
 
 Wed., Feb. 17 
 
 Thurs., Feb. 18 
 
 Fri., Feb. 19 
 
 Lunch, Address and Conference with 
 Bankers (S. L. G.) 
 
 Address and Conference with Repre- 
 sentatives of four Osaka Dailies (S. 
 L. G.) 
 
 Address and Conference with Pro- 
 prietor and Editors of Osaka Mai- 
 nichi Shimbun (S. L. G.) 
 
 Address and Conference with Pro- 
 prietor and Editors of Osaka Asahi 
 Shimbun (S. L. G.) 
 
 SHIMONOSEKI 
 
 Conference with Christians’ Leaders 
 (S. M.) 
 
 YAMAGUCHI 
 
 Luncheon by Governor, Address 
 (S. M.) 
 
 Address, Citizens’ Mass Meeting 
 (S. M.) 
 
 MATSUYAMA 
 
 Address, Citizens’ Mass Meeting (S. 
 L. G.) 
 
 Address and Conference, Matsuyama 
 Officials and Citizens (S. L. G.) 
 
 Address, Matsuyama Girls’ School (S. 
 L. G.) 
 
 Interview with Representatives of 
 Matsuyama .Dailies^ (S. L. G.) 
 
 HIROSHIMA 
 
 Address, Higher Normal School 
 (S. M.) 
 
 Dinner by Christians, Professors and 
 Officials (S. M.) 
 
 Address (S. M.) 
 
 Address, Citizens’ Mass Meeting 
 (S. M.) 
 
 Reception- by Governor, Professors, 
 Christians and Missionaries (S. M. 
 & S. L. G.) 
 
 Addresses (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 31 
 
Sat., Feb. 20 
 
 Sat,, Feb. 20 
 
 Sun., Feb. 21 
 
 Mon., Feb. 22 
 
 Tues., Feb. 23 
 
 Interview with Representatives of 
 Hiroshima Dailies (S. L. G.) 
 
 OKAYAMA 
 
 Reception by Governor, Officials, Citi- 
 zens and Christians. 
 
 Addresses (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 KYOTO 
 
 Sermon, Doshisha Chapel (S. L. G.) 
 
 Sermon, English Union Church 
 (S. M.) 
 
 OSAKA 
 
 Addresses, Mass Meeting of Chris- 
 tians (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 Addresses, Mass Meeting of Students 
 (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 Reception, Central Missionary Asso- 
 ciation of Japan. 
 
 Addresses (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 Lunch, Missionary Association (S. M. 
 & S. L. G.) 
 
 Addresses, Christian Workers’ Asso- 
 ciation (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 Reception and Conference with Osaka 
 Governor, Officials and Leading 
 Citizens (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 Banquet, Osaka Branch Japan Peace 
 Society (S. M.) 
 
 Address (S. M.) 
 
 NAGOYA 
 
 Address, Christian Workers (S. M.) 
 
 Address, Citizens’ Mass Meeting 
 (S. M.) 
 
 Banquet by Governor (S. M.) 
 
 Address (S. M.) 
 
 TOKYO 
 
 Conference, Vice-Minister of Foreign 
 Affairs, Mr. K. Matsui and First 
 Secretary, Mr. Nagai (S. L. G.) 
 
 Conference, Baron Megata, Privy 
 Councilor (S. L. G.) 
 
 32 
 
Wed., Feb. 24 Conference, Proprietor and Editor of 
 Kokumin Shimbun, T. Tokutomi 
 (S. L. G.) 
 
 Formal Luncheon, Baron Kato, Min- 
 ister of Foreign Affairs (S. M. & 
 S. L. G.) 
 
 Address, Higher Normal School 
 (S. M.) 
 
 Lecturer, Asiatic Society of Japan 
 (S. M.) 
 
 Dinner, Alumni of Chicago University 
 (S. M.) 
 
 Address (S. M.) 
 
 Conference, Viscount Kaneko, Privy 
 Councilor- (S. L. G.) 
 
 Thurs., Feb. 25 
 
 Conference with Baron Shibusawa (S. 
 M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 Formal Japanese Luncheon, Baron, 
 Shibusawa (S. ,M. '& S. L. G.) 
 
 YOKOHAMA 
 
 Dinner by Governor, Peace Society 
 and Bankers (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 Addresses (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 TOKYO 
 
 Fri., Feb. 26 Conference with Labor Delegates 
 Messrs. Suzuki and Yoshimatsu 
 (S. L. G.) 
 
 Formal Luncheon, Baron Mitsui (S. 
 L. G.) 
 
 Conference with K. Sakata, Chief of 
 Bureau of Commerce (S. L. G.) 
 
 Conference with President Naruse, 
 Women’s College (S. L. G.) 
 
 Farewell Banquet, Tokyo Branch 
 Japan Society of New York and 
 Tokyo Business Men (S. M. & S. 
 L. G.) 
 
 Addresses (S. M. & S. L. G.) 
 
 So fully was the time occupied by appointments that 
 travel from Tokyo to Morioka in the North, from Mori- 
 oka to Kumamoto in the South, and from Kumamoto 
 back to Tokyo was nearly all by night. 
 
 Through the month of travel, not an engagement or 
 train was missed nor an accident or untoward event of 
 any kind incurred. 
 
 Abundant health was granted for all our needs. 
 
 33 
 
SPECIAL MENTION 
 
 Among the many receptions and banquets, recorded 
 above, some were of special significance. Among these 
 may be mentioned the private interview of more than an 
 hour with Count Okuma, and on a later day a formal 
 luncheon and public reception, the latter occupying an 
 entire afternoon. The guests included many of the lead- 
 ing officials and citizens of the Empire. 
 
 In the same category belong the luncheons given by 
 Baron Kato, Minister of Foreign Affairs ; Baron Shibu- 
 sawa. Banker and Premier Citizen of Japan; Dr. and 
 Mrs. Nitobe, “The bridge across the Pacific” ; and Baron 
 Mitsui, a leading financier of Japan. The two farewell 
 dinners given by the Peace Society and Bankers of Yoko- 
 hama and by the Business men of Tokyo should not be 
 omitted from this list of significant attentions and cour- 
 tesies. 
 
 Also demanding special mention were the receptions 
 and attentions given by the Prefectural Governors of 
 Sendai, Morioka, Kyoto, Osaka, Fukuoka, Kumamoto, 
 Yamaguchi, Hiroshima, Okayama, Nagoya and Yoko- 
 hama. 
 
 In all these cities the Mayors and many other high 
 officials also took important parts. 
 
 Baron Sakatani, Mayor of Tokyo, in spite of special 
 duties incident to the circumstances of his impending 
 resignation, gave us unstintedly of his time and counsel. 
 
 Peace Societies, the Federated Churches of Japan, 
 Organizations and Missionaries in each of the cities 
 visited, took active parts in promoting the purposes of 
 our Embassy. 
 
 LETTERS AND PAMPHLETS 
 
 So widespread and increasing was the attention given 
 the Embassy by the press and public, and so intense was 
 discovered to be the interest of the entire nation in the 
 relation between Japan and the United States, that it 
 seemed imperative to deepen and as far as possible to 
 make permanent the impression made by our addresses 
 and conferences. Especially important did we find it to 
 disabuse the minds of the Japanese of any widespread 
 hostility on the part of the United States. 
 
 For the furtherance of the purposes of our Embassy, 
 we therefore published several letters and three pam- 
 phlets. 
 
 Copies of the Federal Council Message of Greetings 
 to the Christians of Japan were sent by mail to each pas- 
 tor, evangelist and missionary in Japan. This was accom- 
 panied by a brief covering letter by Mr. Mathews. 
 
 34 
 
A letter by Mr. Gulick was also sent in the same en- 
 velope to the same persons, giving a brief statement of 
 the way, in which he had been led of the Lord to enter 
 upon this work and of the steps by which the Federal 
 Council of the Churches of Christ in America had de- 
 cided to establish its Commission on Relations with Japan 
 and to send to Japan a Christian Embassy. The number 
 of individuals- to whom these letters went was neaidy 
 3,500 (1,000 missionaries and 2,500 Japanese workers). 
 
 The preparation and publication of so much material 
 required not only much time and attention from Mr. 
 Culick, but also much assistance. Mr. Tomita, for many 
 years Mr. Culick’s personal literary assistant, gave his 
 entire time for the month of our stay in Japan. Mr. 
 Gilbert Bowles also gave himself unstintedly to the pro- 
 motion of the success of our Embassy. 
 
 Before leaving the United States your Commission 
 received in reply to a letter of inquiry some sixty-five let- 
 ters from representative Americans. These letters seemed 
 so significant of the real attitude 'of America as a whole 
 toward Japan that after consulting prominent Japanese 
 and Americans we decided to m-ake these public. We 
 selected twenty for publication in full ; of the rest a 
 summary was made with quotations of the most im- 
 portant sentences. The whole was published in the form 
 of a pamphlet entitled “The Friendship of America for 
 Japan.” It contained introductory and supplementary 
 sections and also the personal letters of President Wilson 
 and Secretary Bryan to Mr. Mathews. 
 
 Three thousand five hundred copies of this pam- 
 phlet were distributed in Japan, with a covering letter. 
 Copies were mailed to three hundred of the leading 
 dailies, to all missionaries and to nearly all pastors and 
 evangelists. Five hundred additional copies were printed 
 for use in America. 
 
 Before leaving California, in response to a letter of 
 inquiry, replies were received from fifteen Japanese resi- 
 dents describing the improving personal treatment of Jap- 
 anese in California. These letters in Japanese seemed so 
 pertinent that these also were issued in pamphlet form 
 preceded by an introductory statement by Mr. Gulick. 
 Three thousand five hundred copies of this pamphlet were 
 also issued and distributed to the same persons in the 
 same envelopes as the preceding pamphlet. Its title is 
 “Zai-bei Nihonjin ni tai suru Beikokujin no Taigu” 
 (“American Treatment of Japanese in America”). 
 
 We took to Japan some fifty copies of the Federal 
 Council Bulletin No. 67, “Two Addresses on the Ameri- 
 can Japanese Problem.” The supply was soon exhausted. 
 The demand for more was so urgent that it seemed wise 
 
 35 
 
to print one thousand copies of this pamphlet to be dis- 
 tributed to American business men in Tokyo, Yokohama 
 and Kobe, to American Missionaries, and to certain se- 
 lected Japanese leaders. 
 
 On account of certain statements made by Japanese, 
 criticising articles published in America by Missionaries 
 in Japan calculated, it was said, to promote among Ameri- 
 cans anti- Japanese feeling, Mr. Gulick prepared in con- 
 sultation with Mr. Mathews a personal letter which was 
 sent to some eight hundred American missionaries. 
 
 THE GENERAL MESSAGE OF THE 
 EMBASSY 
 
 There were three classes of audiences to whom your 
 representatives spoke, Japanese Christians and Mission- 
 aries, Students of higher schools and universities, and 
 Representative Citizens. 
 
 (1) Opportunities to address the Christians of 
 Japan were numerous. Wherever we went we were most 
 cordially welcomed by the Christian workers, both native 
 and missionary, and, whenever possible, we preached to 
 Christian assemblies. Exclusive of all others who made 
 up the various audiences, we met several hundred Chris- 
 tian workers and thousands of Christian men and women. 
 To all of these we gave the “Message” of the Federal 
 Council. We also, as already stated, mailed a copy of 
 the same with accompanying personal letters to every 
 Christian worker, Japanese or missionary, As far as 
 possible we joined in evangelistic services and frequently 
 were rewarded by a large number of enquirer^. 
 
 The heartiness of the reception accorded us and the 
 appreciation of the action of the Federal Council in send- 
 ing the Embassy appear in the resolutions in Part First 
 of this Report. 
 
 (2) At least 15,000 students of the grade of Higher 
 Schools and Universities were reached by our various ad- 
 dresses. The subjects with which these young men were 
 approached depended generally upon the choice of the 
 Director of the Institution or on other circumstances, but 
 as we were always received as the representatives of the 
 Federal Council, each address was intended to set forth 
 the need of moral and religious elements in the life of 
 educated men and in the treatment of international re- 
 lations. There was constant opportunity to present 
 American foreign policies and to emphasize the oppor- 
 tunity for educated men to share in developing better un- 
 derstanding between Japan and the United States, a bet- 
 ter epoch in world politics. 
 
 36 
 
(3) The governors and Siayors organized public 
 welcome mass and other meetings generally accompanied 
 by luncheons and banquets, in Tokyo, Sendai, Morioka, 
 Kyoto, Kobe, Osaka, Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Okayama, 
 Yamaguchi, Matsuyama, Hiroshima, Nagoya, and Yoko- 
 hama. In this way we met many thousands of repre- 
 sentative citizens including hundreds of Bankers, Edu- 
 cators, Officials, and Merchants. At such gatherings we 
 spoke always by request directly upon the American-Jap- 
 anese problem. We always spoke frankly concerning the 
 difficulties involved both for the United States and for 
 Japan, and Mr. Gulick described with some detail his 
 general immigration policy. He explained carefully the 
 distinction between alien laborers and bona fide immi- 
 grants ; he also spoke frankly of the difficulties experi- 
 enced by Californians with tens of thousands of Japanese 
 peasants, ignorant of the English Language as well as 
 of American customs and morals. The reception given 
 us was always cordial and the applause during and in- 
 variably at the close of the addresses was hearty. We 
 were always introduced as representatives of the Chris- 
 tian Churches of America, a fact which was everywhere 
 spoken of as highly significant, and as ground for special 
 welcome. The influence of such official recognition was 
 said by many Christian workers to be of great value to 
 the Christian community. These meetings received very 
 considerable attention from the press. 
 
 The Christian Embassy was thus brought to the at- 
 tention of the entire Empire. We could have prolonged 
 our tour for several weeks, speaking in other cities. Many 
 persons in a position to know said that no representatives 
 of religion had ever been accorded such a hearing in 
 Japan. 
 
 FINDINGS 
 
 (1) We found the churches of Japan well organ- 
 ized for the three-year, nation-wide, union, Evangelistic 
 campaign on which they are well started. Contrary to 
 many misgivings that arose when “the great war” broke 
 outThe aggressive work of the churches has in no wise 
 diminished. The campaign is being pushed by the leaders 
 with high hopes of large results. 
 
 (2) Japan as a whole is increasingly conscious of 
 the need of moral power and spiritual regeneration. 
 Many leaders are looking with no little earnestness to 
 Christianity for the satisfaction of the higher needs of 
 the nation. It is evident that the Christian Gospel has 
 had a far wider effect than would appear from the statis- 
 tical record of church membership. 
 
 37 
 
(3) We found a large degree of unity and a spirit 
 of co-operation between the various churches and also 
 among the various missions. With one or two exceptions, 
 the principal Protestant churches of Japan have recently 
 effected a federation and are learning how to act co- 
 operatively. The thirty Protestant missions in Japan have, 
 with but few exceptions, been federated for some fifteen 
 years. The rivalry and antipathy of the denominations 
 so often asserted by those who have little acquaintance 
 with actual mission fields do not exist to any considerable 
 extent in Japan. 
 
 (4) The Christian community iir Japan is relatively 
 small (about 90,000 Protestants, 60,000 Roman Catholics 
 and 30,000 Greek Catholics), and is correspondingly sen- 
 sitive to the objections frequently raised that Christianity 
 is opposed to Japanese loyalty. For this reason it has 
 not been active in attempting to influence international 
 politics. At the same time we found a general determina- 
 tion on the part of Christian leaders to make the Churches 
 of Japan centers of international good-understanding. 
 We also found an equally general feeling expressed by 
 Japanese officials of high standing that the difficulties be- 
 tween the two nations would be adjusted now that the 
 Christians of America had taken up the matter. The 
 constant reference to this latter feeling was one of the 
 marked characteristics of addresses of welcome through- 
 out the country. 
 
 (5) The attitude of Japan to the United States is 
 primarily that of friendship. Repeated reference has 
 been made in our hearing by officials and others to the 
 help rendered by the United States to Japan from the 
 days of Commodore Perry onward. The results of 
 American policies prior to the Russo-Japanese War were 
 such as to make Japan a friend of America. 
 
 (6) Yet anti-American feeling is developing in 
 Japan. This feeling varies in the different classes and 
 sections of the Empire, in some being hardly observable, 
 and in others outspoken. To some extent it may be due 
 to an apprehension as to the policy of the United States 
 relative to China, and to a sense of rivalry in Asiatic 
 commerce. But generally speaking, it is not indigenous 
 in Japan but rises and falls with the anti-Japanese senti- 
 ment, utterances and legislation in the United States. 
 (3n this latter point, leading Japanese are unanimous. 
 
 Further, its intensity depends upon the character of 
 the neAvspaper treatment of such news — too often col- 
 ored by the desire of interested parties to involve Japan 
 in trouble with the United States — as concerns directly 
 or indirectly the relations of the two countries. The Jap- 
 anese newspapers are widely read and exercise very con- 
 
 38 
 
siclerable influence upon their constituencies. As they 
 are in close touch through their correspondents with 
 America, any anti- Japanese sentiment there expressed in 
 public or in the press tends to be immediately transformed 
 into anti-American sentiment in Japan. 
 
 The policy of the government to develop an intense 
 national loyalty by specific instruction through its schools 
 and in the army and navy makes the thousands of stu- 
 dents and all military men particularly sensitive of any 
 word or act that seems to injure Japan’s national dignity 
 or honor. 
 
 . (7) Although among the higher official and really 
 
 representative classes there is no hostility to the United 
 States, there is a keen sense of injured honor, because of 
 discrimination showri in America against the Japanese as 
 Japanese. These intelligent men recognize to a notice- 
 able degree the difficulties America faces in immigration 
 and they disavow any desire for the removal of the ex- 
 isting limitations set by the Japanese government upon 
 immigration to the United States. This should be clearly 
 understood. Japan does not ask for free immigration 
 to America. The Japanese government fully recognizes 
 the right of the United States to control immigration and 
 naturalization and has honorably and strictly maintained 
 the “gentlemen’s agreement” to prevent the emigration 
 of Japanese laborers to the United States. Strictly speak- 
 ing there is no longer any Japanese immigration question, 
 for by the action of the Japanese government there is 
 no new emigration of Japanese zvorkmen to the United 
 States. 
 
 (8) We were impressed with the simplicity, una- 
 nimity and reasonableness of the view taken by repre- 
 sentative Japanese Statesmen, Educators, Business men, 
 and Editors, viz. : 
 
 The Japanese government has stopped the emigration 
 of Japanese workmen to the United States, Canada and 
 Mexico, out of consideration for American friendship, 
 and wishes only the same sort of treatment for its sub- 
 jects lawfully in America as is accorded those of other 
 friendly nations. There is no question of immigration ; 
 % there is only the desire for treatment free from invidious 
 
 discrimination. 
 
 The issue thus raised is solely one of the humiliating 
 treatment of Japanese already in the United States by 
 zehich the honor and dignity of Japan are felt to be in- 
 z'olz’ed. Such differential treatment as that given the 
 Japanese in California and other Pacific Coast States can- 
 not fail to weaken the traditional friendship of Japan for 
 the United States. It is certainly shortsighted to alienate 
 a nation whose friendship will be of determining signifi- 
 cance during the period of reconstruction of the com- 
 
 39 
 
merce and the politics of Asia, particularly of China. And 
 what is vastly more serious, such treatment is contrary 
 to the fundamental prinfiples of democracy and of Chris- 
 tianity. 
 
 (9) So concerned have Japanese leaders become 
 over the continued development in America of anti- Jap- 
 anese agitation and legislation, actual and proposed, to 
 the detriment of the historic international friendship, that 
 Count Okuma, as President of the Japan Peace Society, 
 has appointed to study the American- Japanese relations 
 a Committee of Fifteen of the strongest leaders of the 
 Empire. The American Peace Society of Japan has ap- 
 pointed a corresponding Committee of Fifteen. These 
 two committees are to work conjointly and also sep- 
 arately. 
 
 (10) There is also a belief in Japan, especially 
 among military and naval circles, that the United States 
 has imperialistic ambitions in the East which are hos- 
 tile to the development of Japan’s interests. Strange as 
 it may seem to Americans, there is a suspicion in Japan 
 of America’s aggressive ambitions in the Orient, akin to 
 the suspicion of Japan felt in certain circles in America. 
 These two feelings doubtless react upon and evoke each 
 other, and neither will be allayed until each nation under- 
 stands better each the other’s fundamental problems and 
 motives. As long as an “inevitable” war between the 
 two countries is preached by the military and naval cliques 
 on each side of the Pacific, and is urged as adequate 
 ground for increased naval and military preparation, on 
 the part of the United States, so long will misunderstand- 
 ings and suspicions be magnified. 
 
 (11) While the leaders of Japan recognize that the 
 situation in California may be traced to economic condi- 
 tions, many of them assert that racial rather than econ- 
 omic motives are becoming paramount. This gives them 
 serious anxiety because they are well informed as to race 
 questions within the United States. This view is given 
 further weight by Governor Johnson’s unanswerable argu- 
 ment that racial distinctions were not first made by the 
 California alien land-law, but by the federal law specify- 
 ing those races that alone are eligible for citizenship by 
 naturalization. 
 
 (12) In conclusion we return from Japan with a 
 deepened sense of Christian opportunity and responsibil- 
 ity at this time of world-crisis. The Gospel must be ap- 
 plied to internationalism if the world is to be at peace. 
 By giving justice rather than by demanding rights can 
 nations remain friends. Churches must be more than 
 local institutions interested in local souls ; they must also 
 be forces through which the Spirit of God shall enable 
 
 40 
 
nations to follow the sacrificial calls of Jesus Christ. Not 
 by diplomacy nor by militarism but only by genuine 
 fraternity can the world secure that spiritual international- 
 ism by which it can rise above the limits of nations and 
 the bondage of traditions and of history. The jdeals of 
 foreign missions must be extended to this new oppor- 
 tunity. We must not only evangelize foreigners ; we must 
 evangelize our foreign policies. 
 
 DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY OF 
 ADJUSTMENT 
 
 I. ON THE PART OF AMERICA: 
 
 a. General indifference of the citizens of the United 
 States to international questions and in particular insuffi- 
 cient acquaintance with the recent development of Japan 
 and the problems arising from European policies in the 
 Far East. 
 
 b. Failure to see that Japan does not ask for free 
 opportunity to send emigrants to the United States, but 
 that Japanese already resident in the United States shall 
 be treated without discrimination. 
 
 c. The constitutional difficulty which, under pres- 
 ent laws, prevents the Federal Government from enforc- 
 ing in the various States the general purposes as well 
 as the letter of treaties. 
 
 d. The confusion of the Japanese question with 
 various other issues now in the public mind. 
 
 e. The antiquated legislation regarding naturaliza- 
 tion. 
 
 f. The tendency of individual politicians and of 
 political parties to make political capital of economic 
 struggles and race prejudice. 
 
 g. The persistent misconception on the part of many 
 Americans that Japan is insincere in its professions of 
 friendship and is really planning war. 
 
 h. Lack of trustworthy information concerning and 
 distrust of Japanese policies regarding China. 
 
 II. ON THE PART OF JAPAN: ' 
 
 a. Failure to appreciate the real situation in 
 America and a tendency to exaggerate the practical dif- 
 ficulties experienced by Japanese in sections of the United 
 States. 
 
 b. Misunderstanding of various constitutional and 
 diplomatic aspects of the situation ; e. g., the actual re- 
 
 41 
 
lation of the California Alien Land Law to the Japanese 
 treaty ; the constitutional limitations set "upon the relation 
 of the federal government with various state govern- 
 ments ; the naturalization laws of the t\Vo countries. 
 
 c. Tendency to regard unfriendly actions in a few 
 of the Pacific Coast States as the action of the U. S. as 
 a whole. 
 
 d. Failure of Japanese generally to recognize the 
 important respects in which Japanese emigrants to 
 America really differ from emigrants from Europe. 
 
 It is, however, to be noted that a change is taking 
 place among Japanese in regard to these matters. Individ- 
 uals who have -resided for many years in California, or 
 Hawaii, have become remarkably Americanized in thought 
 and feelings, no less than in appearance and conduct. They' 
 feel strange on returning to Jap'an and critical of their 
 own land, preferring America. This is especially true of 
 American born and American educated children. Many 
 Japanese now desire to become American citizens with 
 all that that means. Moreover, Japanese in Japan are 
 beginning to see that Japanese in America must give up 
 the idea of being colonists, if they are to be treated 
 on a basis of equality with immigrants from other lands. 
 
 AN IMPORTANT SUGGESTION 
 
 Before we left California, Mr. Paul Scharrenburg, 
 Secretary of the California State Federation of Labor, 
 made the suggestion that one important method for pro- 
 moting mutual understanding and friendship between 
 Japan and America was to arrange for the exchange of 
 Fraternal Delegates by the respective working classes of 
 the two countries. He assured us that a “suitable” rep- 
 resentative from Japan would be received by the labor 
 unions of California and America. It was understood 
 that effort should be made to see if any such delegate 
 could be found. 
 
 Immediately upon arrival in Japan conference upon 
 this matter was held with representatives of the Foreign 
 Office, with a few leading citizens of Tokyo, and with 
 men especially interested in the industrial and labor prob- 
 lems of Japan. While unexpectedly favorable hearing 
 was given to Mr. Scharrenberg’s suggestion, inasmuch as 
 final decision has not yet been reached, it seems wiser to 
 defer for the present complete report upon this matter. 
 
 42 
 
RECOMMENDATIONS 
 
 (1) That the Federal Council, without taking sides 
 in any international dispute, urge the Christian bodies 
 which it represents to emphasize the need of applying the 
 principles of the Gospel to our international relations with 
 all nations and peoples. While churches are to be inde- 
 pendent of the state the ideals of Jesus should control 
 our international policies.- States as zvell as individuals 
 must be inspired to give justice rather than seek only to 
 get their rights. 
 
 (2) That to this end the Federal Council press a 
 campaign of education in America emphasizing; 
 
 (a) The need of adjusting the relations of the Fed- 
 eral and State governments relative to the care and pro- 
 tection of aliens. 
 
 (b) That the Japanese question is a phase of the 
 immigration and other related questions. 
 
 (c) That one chief question at issue concerns the 
 treatment of Asiatics already in America. 
 
 (3) That clergymen be urged to study the question 
 of the relation of the United States to Asia and thus be 
 able to give their congregations a deeper appreciation of 
 foreign missions, and to guide them into an intelligent 
 and righteous attitude towards international policies as a 
 means of furthering the world-wide establishment of the 
 Kingdom of God. 
 
 (4) That the Commission on Relations with Japan 
 prepare for the use of pastors a list of suitable books and 
 articles dealing with the Oriental Problem and also a sug- 
 gestive summary leaflet of the most important informa- 
 tion and topics suitable for sermons and prayer meeting 
 addresses. 
 
 (5) That American Educators be urged to present 
 such information to the public under their influence as 
 will promote an intelligent and just appreciation of 
 Asiatic nations, their histories and their special problems, 
 and lead the rising generation to an attitude of friendly 
 esteem. 
 
 (6) That peace workers, and members of peace so- 
 cieties be urged to regard the establishment in America 
 of the right treatment of Asiatics and right legislation 
 dealing with them as an immediately practical question 
 before us for the establishment of permanent world peace. 
 
 (7) That Chambers of Commerce, Labor Councils, 
 Men’s Clubs, the Federated Women’s Clubs, Reading 
 Circles, and all kinds of organized groups of men and 
 women be urged to turn their attention to the gravity of 
 America’s Oriental problem arising from widespread 
 ignorance and misunderstanding with regard to Japan and 
 
 43 
 
consequent unjustified suspicions. Not a few of the 
 articles in our current magazines and daily papers are 
 poisoned by this ignorance and suspicion. 
 
 (8) That the Federal Council while appreciating 
 efforts now being made to Evangelize Asiatics in America 
 take steps to emphasize the need of additional facilities 
 for Asiatics already in the United States, to acquire Eng- 
 lish as rapidly as possible and such other knowledge and 
 customs as will enable them to adapt themselves com- 
 pletely to their new social surroundings. 
 
 (9) That wherever Asiatics are habitually sub- 
 jected to invidious treatment and humiliation, patriotic 
 citizens are recommended to take concerted action to de- 
 velop right popular sentiment that will frown upon such 
 discrimination and internationally unfriendly conduct. 
 
 (10) That the Federal Council be asked to author- 
 ize measures for the carrying out of the following resolu- 
 tion of the Commission on Relations with Japan, calling 
 upon Congress and the people of the United States to 
 adopt an adequate Oriental Policy, and dealing with the 
 entire question of immigration and treatment of aliens in 
 America. 
 
 The awakening of Asia and her rapid acquisition of 
 important elements of Occidental civilization inaugurates 
 a new era in world history in which Asia is to play a 
 new and increasingly important role. Whether that role 
 shall be one of peace, good will and mutual co-operation, 
 or one controlled by increasing suspicion and fear be- 
 tween the East and the West will depend largely upon 
 the attitude of the western nations themselves. 
 
 It has seemed to many of our citizens who have be- 
 come familiar with the questions raised by this more in- 
 timate and ever-increasing contact with the Orient that 
 the United States might well adopt a more adequate 
 (Oriental Policy. Therefore be it 
 
 Resolved, That the Commission on Relations with 
 Japan, appointed by the Federal Council of the Churches 
 of Christ in America, urge upon Congress and upon the 
 people of the United States the importance of adopting 
 an Oriental Policy the fundamental principle of which 
 shall be the just and equitable treatment of all races, and 
 to this end suggests that the entire immigration problem 
 be taken up at an early date, providing for comprehensive 
 legislation covering all phases of the question (such as 
 the limitation of immigration and the registration, distri- 
 bution, employment, education, and naturalizations ■ of 
 immigrants), in such a way as to conserve American in- 
 stitutions, to protect American labor from dangerous eco- 
 nomic competition and to promote an intelligent and en- 
 during friendliness among the peoples of all nations. 
 
 44 
 
(11) That Chambers of Commerce, Labor Coun- 
 cils, Merchants’ Associations, Educational Bodies, Min- 
 isters’ Associations, and all representative groups of re- 
 sponsible citizens be urged to consider at an early date 
 the foregoing appeal and if found satisfactory to endorse 
 the same, sending report of such endorsement to their re- 
 spective representatives in Congress, to President Wilson, 
 and also to the Secretary of the Federal Council of the 
 Churches of Christ in America. 
 
 We further suggest that all bodies endorsing the 
 above resolution be also urged to ask that legislation deal- 
 ing with the same shall be framed and acted upon as a 
 national non-partisan program. 
 
 Respectfully submitted, 
 
 Shailer Mathews, 
 Sidney L. Gulick. 
 
 45 
 
PART THIRD 
 
 ACTION OF THE COMMISSION ON RELA- 
 TIONS WITH JAPAN 
 
 This report, with the findings and recommendations, 
 was adopted by the Commission on Relations with Japan 
 of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in 
 America at a meeting held April 17th, 1915. 
 
 Charles S. Macfarland, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
V 
 

 
 
 
 N 
 
 >