The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-24
The Murdered Castaways To.
Be Avenged.
CHINESE INTERESTS IN THE UNDERTAKING
United States Diplomacy in Opposition
to the Movement.
STEAMSHIP YUKo MARU,

island known to euro JeanS as Formosa was the
murder, in December, ls7l, Of party Of snip-
wrecked Liu Kiu islanders, who we're accident
ally driven ashore upon the territory occupied by
the semi-savage race OF Boutans, whose hostility
to strangers OF every nationality has long made
them the terror OF the region over which they
hold control. Since these waters were first VS.
tons with the tribes inhabitng the east
shore with whom they have been shro wn
in contact has been one OF almost I'M
interrupted depreda ION and atrocity on one side,
and suffering mart, rdom on the other. In re-
cent times hardly year mas passed without the
record OF q serles OF fresh outrages upon those
whom the caamities of the ocean have cast among
these aoorlgines. Mariners from nearly every CIV
ilized nation are known TO have been either
slaughtered outright, or TO have persisted rom the
innuman treatment TO W Iich they have been sub
jected. In addition TO the long catalogue OF au.
tbenticated instances o. Darbarism, there Is such
general and well grounded suspicion concerning
tie late OF a multitude OF ships that have disap-
peared in this nelgnborhood that the mercantile
communuy have come to look upon the
passage OF this part OF the coast OF For
nlosa as, in certain respects the most hazard
Gus in the Eastern seas. The ierocious character
attributed to the inhabitants may be understood
~ s"o ASSS sHas bhCJ aiC ucSlSudIeu ''tue
cannibals," although 1t Is not known that the
term has anything more tnan fgurarive apphca-
tion. 1t IS used as comprehensive description OF
people who, bound together by the defensive and
offensive ties OF piracy aud outlawry, regard all
strangers as their enemies; repel the approaches
OF their nearest partially civilized neghbors, the
Chinese; acknowledge the authority OF only their
own Wild natures and demonstrate their resolution
10 resist all Influences from abroad By the
unsparing and merclless destruction OF the
helpless sufferers who forced from time to
'ime to seek sbelter at their hands. II Americans
nave not especially been TIE victims of these
cTaetes, at least the instances OF violence against
Atnericans are those watch have most frequently
come to light. The most Migrant OF these was
probably the case oil the bark Rover which Is Sill
viydiy memorable IN the East, not only on ac-
count o. It's own distressing circumstances, but
also Tor ITS somewhat remarkable con sequences
IL led 70 condition OF affairs which affected
various countries, more less directly and Ger.
tain connection can even be traced between 1t and
tne present movement OF the Japanese government.
On the 9tn oil March, 1867 Rover the Chinese
port OF swallow for Neuchang, aud was driven by
storm to the south OF Formosa, where she struck,
- H supposed, upon the ''Vele Rete" rocks. She
presently sunk, the Captain, named Hunt, escap-
ilg with MS wne ana The crew IN boats. They
made their way with some dlf1culty to point on
the southeastern shore of the island, landing
within the limits occupied bv the tribe Of Koauts.
As soon they we're discovered they were fired
upon oy the natives ana were all killed with the
exception Oh single Chinese sailor, who had
hidden himself upon the first appearance OF the
assanants, and wno Afterwards succeeded in get
ting to Takao, on the western coast, where he re-
lated the circumstances. In due season the INTEL
i,Unn
principal Chinese town in formosa, whence
ii was communicated by the British Consul
to his Minister IN Pekin and by him to Mr. Bur-
lngame. While that gentleman was occupied in
the preparation Of measures OF redress, Captain
Broad, OF the British Nav, who was stationed at
the time at Taiwan-iu, started in the man-of. war
Cormorant 10 tAe scene OF the slaughter, in the
uncertain hope OF finding and rescuing Survivors
should any sim exist. lie reached the Koauts.
country on tue Goth OF March and commenced his
search, but was In turn hreo upon and compelled
to retire. one OF his men was wounded. though
none were killed. He sheed the attacking
FLANDERS from his vessel ana drove them from the
jungle in which they were hidden out, having no
force sufficient TO warrant pursuit, soon aban-
doned the contest and returned to fakao and
Annoy.
AMERICAN EFFORT FOR FUTURE SECURITY.
III INC mOpbi "a ApIll tile Julicu StdLeS COusuI
at Annoy, General c. W. Legendre, made a vigorous
effort to put himself in communication with the
heads OF the maraudIng tribes, with a view to OBJ
tanning pledges oil security for the future. but was
at this time unable to go on shore, tue Koau.s re-
fuslng to allow him to land peacefully the Chinese
officials o. the Western coast disclained any direct
authority over the people OF the East ana declared
their inability TO interfere although the Central
Government at Pekin expressed disposition to
innict chastsement, IN consequence OF the as
sumption by the United states Minister that China
was responsible Tor the deeds OF all the
Formosans. In June, 1867, Admiral Bell,
having received Instructions from Washing
ton, sailed In the Hartford accompanied by the
wyoming. for the purpose OF enforcing attention
TO the demands OF civilization. The expedition
was not successful. body OF lS1 offlcers. sailors
and marines was landed on the 10Th OF June, and,
alter brief engagement, during which Lieutenant
Commander A. s. Mackenzie was killed. withdrew
in some confusion 10 the ships The difficulties OF
the situation appearing to be greater than had
been anticipated, the whole affair was indefinitely
abandoned. These details, not without importance
in themselves, Will be found to possess q par
ticuar significance as showing identity OF In
teress between tue government or the United
States and tnat OF Japan--an Identity which has,
within the past Few days, been disregarded TO an
extent producing serious endorsements and
complications.
In their reports detailing these events the United
States of1cers, including Admiral Bell. expressed
the confident opinion that the only effective
method OF rendering the region permanently safe
and freeing the waters OF that vicinity from their
perils would be the dispersal OF tue aborigines
from the shores and the occupation OF the coast by
n powerful ally. II was urged that the Chinese
should be induced to undertake this duty; but ex-
perience had already shown Is 1t has since shown
more forcibly, that the task was beyond p0tn
their inclination and their power. AS to legitimate
control over the Formosan tribes OF the East they
dlsclaimed 1t altogether and, In TACT, their own
maps clearly mark the line where the exercise
OF their Jurisdiction ceases. In all that re-
latcs to the development OF subsequent events
It is important to remember that Tue
Chinese have repeatedly proclaimed the ''canni-
bals' 20 be wholly outside OF their dominion IL
was pnon this understanding ana upon the ad-