The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-09-28
THE PORTS OF FoRMosA.

London Transport says: "The Janan-
ese occupation of Formosa has not be-
gun auspiclousiy. In fact Japan, since
the termination of the war with China.
has experienced decided reversal Of the
| good fortune which attended her dur
Ing the struggle Shorn Of some of the
fruits of her victory, the victim of chol-
era and disaster, the new power in the
Far East has as yet tasted few of~the
| sweets of conquest. AS for Forlnosa II
may we'll be doubted whether under
Japanese rule, the future of the island
VIII be as brilIfant as was expected. -Four
centuries of Chinese domination have
been unable to bring the people under
subsection, and 1t is quite open to ques-
ton whether the Japanese will be more
successful. The people of Formosa-the
dreaded "black flags"-are the sworn
enemies of labor, and they will resist
with all the energy they can command
any attempt on the part of the Japanese
to bring them into harmony with modern
ideas. Their chief occupation for 400
years has been to collect the heads of
their Chinese masters, and now they will
be able to give the Japanese turn.
"Formosa has been for various periods
OF her history notorious as a place OF
unprecedented, the island may Claim
to be the chosen home of the typhoon.
Ibe japanese, as we'll as ourselves, have
had dark and sinister experiences in
connection with the island-their vessels
have been wrecked and their crews mas
sacred by the natives. The island can
boast of but one good harbor, and 1t
is small. This is Kelung which is badly
in need of dredging and protection by a
breakwater 1t might then be able to
accommodate about ten steamers OF
1000 tons each. Tamsui is another north
ern port, but it Is suitable only for light
draught junlSs and is handicapped greatly
by the bar at the mouth of the river
upon which 1t is situated. The pace
Is of no commercial importance, but 1t is
the anchorage for native craft which are
too large to proceed ten miles further I'D
the river to Tai-pe-Foo, the commercial
capital, where cargoes are distributed.
The harbor of Takow in the southwest
has an area of some thirty square miles,
and 1t Is sheltered at all seasons of the
year. With effected dredging 1t could be
made one of the best ports in the whole
OF the Far East. There are two other
ports on the west coast, but they are suit
able only for small junks. On the east
coast the only harbor after Kelung is
ouao pay' II is une cnleI coaling port OF
Formosa, but the anchorage is anything
but satisfactory. 1t is considered possible
that in the northern part of the island
coal fields may be developed. Consular
reports show that tea and sugar are
the chief exports of the island"
''rhe Japanese mercantile marine has
thus far been principally been occupied
in the coasting trade. Navigation to for
eign ports is Still in its infancy. Not to
speak of far distant countries, even In the
case Of the Chinese ports the number OF
Japanese ships visiting them is far be-
hind that of some European countries. In
1898 the number of Japanese vessels visit
ing Chinese ports was 623, and their ag-
gregate tonnage 566,S79 tons In the mat
ter of the carrying trade with China,
England stands first, then Germany, and
Japan comes third,