The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-09-11
CHINA AND JAPAN.
The Island of FormOsa a Bone OF Com
temt1on.

4 inc AhAAnO WA UNNA0n4 - 1ohD VI CoAA
/ temtion.
The eastern seas are still infested
with nests of freebooters, who, under
the designation of wreckers, prey upor
the defenseless mariner whom an i'll
fortune has cast upon their shores.
Out Of outrages of this sort grew the
necessity under which we found eur
selves q year or two ago of chastising
| the piratical Coreans. The result OF
the expedition is too fresh in the memo
ry of our readers to require repetition.
Atrocities of similar character prompt
ed the authorities of Japan to fit out
an expedition for the chastisement of
the bucaneering inhabitants of the
island of Formosa, the accounts of
which from time to time reached us by
telegraph.
The island of Formosa is about two
hundred and fifty miles long and eighty
broad, containing an area of 1900
square miles and population of 2, ,000,- :
600 to 100000. 1t lies not far from
the southeastern coast Of China, almost
parallel with the Chinese province of
Fokien, under whose jurisdiction it is
claimed by China. The island abounds
in tropical fruits. Some Chinese have
been settled ON the coast for ages and
are thrifty and peaceable. The origin
of the Japanese expedition and the COM
plications with China likely TO grow out
Of it is as follows: Some time since
fifty Japanese sailors, shipwrecked on
the coast of Formosa, were murdered
by the natives. The government of
apan sent to China to demand redress.
The reply was that China had no control
over that part of the island, aud that
any demands of the Japanese in that
quarter must be made direct. The
japanese accordingly prepared to exact
compensation and redress from the
guilty principals. The Saga revolt at
home prevented the sailing of the expe-
dition at the time appointed, but as
soon as that was crushed preparations
weremade for carryingout the intentions
of the government. Here new difficult
ty arose. Foreign ministers, not salts
fed with the statement that the Chinese
had repudiated control over the FOrmo-
sans, were afraid that the expedition
might produce complications between
China and Japan, and demanded the
authority upon which Japan proposed
TO act. The British and American min
listers both issued proclamations forbid
ding the subjects of their respective
to take part in the expe-
dition. This at once deprived the Japa-
nese of the services of Gen. Legendre,
formerly United States consul at Annoy
and well known in Formosa, and Lieut.
Carol, an excellent naval officer. The
prohibition further deprived the Japa.
nese of two foreign steamers, the York
shire and New York, which had been
chartered TO carry troops. Notwith-
these drawbacks Okuma, the |
of finance, and Gen. Saiga got |
the expedition under way, and landed |
200 troops on the island in the latter |
part of May, covered by a corvette and
q gunboat. Gen. Saiga, on anchoring |
his vessel at Shahlian, found himself |
shortly visited by a Chinese corvette
and gunboat with guns ont and men at |
quarters. Expecting an attack, he |
placed himself in the best position of
defense, but the mandarin confined him.
self to soliciting an interview, which
was accorded by the Japanese comman-
Ter. The mandarin asserted Chinese
ownership and sovereignty. Saiga re-
'erred him to the negotiations between
ais own government and Pekin. The
interview concluded by the mandarin
ssuing a proclamation enjoining the
Chinese settlers on the island TO render
,very aid to the Japanese. The Chinese
1eet then weighed anchor and sailed.
Several skirmishes occurred with the
natives, in which they were uniformly
oeaten, and nearly all the tribes, except
he Bootangs, submitted. These are
he miscreants who committed the out
ages. The rest of the tribes rendered
he invaders all the aid they could in
putting down the plunderers. Latest
Idvices show that the expedition has
,een entirely successful, and that q
Japanese embassy has been sent from
Tokeo to Pekin to satisfy the Chinese
government. But the news from China
s by no means of so pacific character.
The Shanghai arsenals ring with prepa-
ations for war. Unusual activity pre-
'ails also at Kan Chang and Macao.
FOR the past three months general
york has been suspended and ali efforts
on the production OF shot
nd shell for heavy rihed cannon re-
emily received from Europe. China has
'layed fast and loose during the nego-
iations, disclaiming possession in order
o avoid responsibility, and then assert
ng It to make ground for reclamation.
,hould hostilities result, we can not
all to be injured in our commerce, and
lay possibly become entangled in COM
lications which we would wish to avoid. |
he Japanese approved themselves
Oldiers OF an excellent type-cool,
teady and daring-and will give the
jhinese hard fight if war is declared.
= Lou. COttT. Journal.