138
last year and who remained in the country upon
the latter's departure with the object, it is
alleged, of watching the progress of the measure
which it was anticipated would come before the Diet.
These efforts to secure the definite recognition
of Mohammedaniam met with no success, however,
and the supporters of a further amendment of the
bill had to content themselves with a statement
on the subject of the Government's attitude
towards Mohammedaniam which it was arranged should
be made by the i rime Minister. The statement
was made on the last but one day of the session,
upon which the bill was finally adopted, and was
to the effect that the Government would in future
pay careful attention to the activities of the
Mohammedans. There was no question as to their
complete liberty of religious belief under, and
within the limits of, Article 28 of the Constitution
in the same way as the followers of other religions.
The new bill, however, had been designed primarily
for the regulation of religions which were active
in Japan, and although Mohammedanism was not
specifically mentioned the provisions relating to
"churches" could be applied to it, am also to
other religions, given compliance with certain
conditions.
9.
I may add that the Most Reverend
Bishop Heaslett, Fresiding Bishop of the Nihon
Seikokai (Holy Catholic Church of Japan), which
is
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