The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-02
A Japanese Naval Expedition Moving
Against the Islanders.
The War To Be Prosecuted bv
American Officers.
United States Diplomacy
at Yeddo.
JAPAN ESE ANNExAT.,jN
MASSACRE Of the Captain and Crew Of the
American Bark Bower.


American Bark Rover.
n. SAN FRANCISCO, May !, 1874.
The Japan Gazette OF the 18th OF April publishes
the following intelligence relative to the impe-
rialist war movement against Formosa :-'Saigo,
c0mmandant OF the neet to Formoss, sailed from
Yokohama on the eth Of April There are about
1000 troops in the expedition. The neet win
rendezvous either at Foochow or annoy A new
department has been established by the govern.
ment, to look particularly after Formosan aairs.n
History OF the Causes which Have Con-
duced to the ConAict-Piracy and Other
Outrages by the Formosans.
The intelligence which is published in the
HERALD to-day respecting the sailing OF an i'm
perialist Japanese expedition fitted out for the
purpose Of extending the sway Of the Mikado
over the non-Ohinese portions Of the island
Of Formosa is or special interest to the
United states. It's naval, military, political and
general details are all In American hands, and even
in Its inception our late Minister at Yeddo, Mr..
De Long was consulted, though 1t must be stated
that the part he took In the matter did not meet
the approval Of the state Department at Washing
ton. Formosa was also the scene OF the massacre
OF Captain Hunt and the crew OF the American
bark Rover, of Long Island, in 1857 and also OF
the repulse In the same year OF the force under
Admiral Bell that landed to punish the murderous
natives, in which affair brave of1lcer-Leutenanr
Commander Mackenzie. United States Navy-was
killed. Notwithstanding Japan is on the eve OF
rupture with the Corea In consequence of repeated
insults, and that the Of the Mikados subjects
loudly calling for against that tributary OF
China, and that q rebellion has just ragged In the
southern part OF the Empire which placed Amer
lean and European residents In imminent peril,
the government pursues policy OF annexation Of
neighboring territory BY both diplomacy and
war. The existence Of hoStilities with the savage
tribes OF Formosa will effect seriously the com.
merce Of civilized nations Chinese and Japanese
waters, and will eject, too, to very great extent
the food supply OF large number OF chinese. The
Formosans, 1t is well known, are given to piracy
ana condition Of war VIII certainly stimulate
them to prey upon vessels cosaing near their coast
which is part Of the highway to great Eastern
ports
ORIGIN OF THE DIFFICULTY WITH F0RMosA.
The origin Of the difficulty with the savage tribes
OF Formosa, who inhabit the eastern part Of the
island, ia as follows:-About two years ago the
Kingdom OF Loo Choo or Lew Chew, consisting OF q
group Of thirty-six islands, possessing delightful
climate and soil OF great richness, and lying mid
way between China and Japan, was Incorporated
into the latter Empire and the King reduced to the
condition OF an -Damio and assigned residence
at Yeddo, which he accepted. Loo Choo had always
been considered tributary TO China, but the
Japanese Foreign Once now claim that the
islands were dependencies OF that government for
hundreds OF years. 1t is true the natives are OF
the same race as the Japanese. and have not merely
adopted their costume, but speak the language OF
that people. The United States had q treaty with
Loo Choo, negotiated by Commodore Perry in 1854.
which gave TO this country an interest in Its
tinued existence as an independent Power.
MASSACRE OF A JUNK's CREW.
However, 1t 80 happened that In the summer OF
1872 junk's crew OF Loo. Choo people, who had
been wrecked on Formosa, like Captain Hunt and
hts sailors in 1867 were slain by the natives Of the
Island. The Japanese determined at once to pun
lsh those people, and were only delayed by want
Of maps and charts OF the coast and mainland.
Mr.. De Long, having received q satisfactory reply
In reference to our treaty with Loo Choo, which
provides for the proper treatment OF the crews
Ind the care of the cargoes OF American vessels
wrecked on the coast, as well as for burial
ground and for furnishing pilots, the foreign min.
lister asked Mr. De Long Tor information respecting
Admiral Bells visit to F0rmosa in 1867. At this
JuuCture Oeuerdl LeSeuure, Jneu Uulleu StdJeS
Consul at Annoy, who had accompanied the expe-
ditlon to punish The murderers OF the people Of the
Rover, arrived at Yeddo. This gentleman, the de-
spascnes published yesterday STATE. is to exercise
supervision over the political and general details
OF the present Japanese expedition to Formosa,
and Lieutenant Cassell, OF the United States Navy,
late commanding the man-of-war Ashuelot, which
formed one OF Admiral Bells squadron, has charge
OF the naval part OF the enterprise An oflcer OF
the United States Army controls the military
force.
THE COURSE OF MINISTER DE LONG.
Mr.. Legendre possessed all the required informa-
ton, with maps, charts, &C. and was OF opinion
that 1t was feasible to undertake to obtain by
peaceable means suitable guarantees for the Japan
ese. But the latter, it would seem, had deter.
mined upon conquest, and 1t likewise appeared
that diplomatic negotiations of some kind were
pending between our government and China rela-
tive to the island Mr. De Long wrote to Secretary
Fish that he thought he conserved an opportunity,
with the assistance the General Legendre) could
and seemed willing to lend me- to furnish this
government with map OF Information useful to
1t, thereby saving 1t from making any Ill ADVISED
Efforts and at the same time to put our legation at
Pekn and yourself In such rapport with the views
and intentions Of this government as to be OF sub
stantial benefit to u.s. and at the same time adj
vance my standing and intimacy with this govern
ment. Actuated by these views requested Gen.
eral Legendre to remain over here for one
steamer and assist me with this government by
imparting to IL such information relative to his
observations OF Formosa and Its inhabitants as in
ms opinion and my own might without impro-
priety, be given.n
JAPANESE POLICY AS OPEN AS THE DAY.
me General remained and was introduced to
the Minister OF Foreign Affairs, who was 'sur-
prised and delighted at thus being brought in con-
TACT with one ~ n N n quhpct
interesting TO them, and yet about which they could
near ai 30 ltte;" He was provided with accommo-
1atlon AZ feddO by the government, ana Mr..
De Long, the Minister ed INV participation In
al CORPORATIONS with Mr.. Smith, the General and
nlnseli, ana mas twice visited me and conferred
upon the SUBJECT, being with me last evening until
near midnight. The plan OF action mas moi VET