Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1895-05-26

Washington, D. c., May 25.-The
State Department has received a cable
gram from Mr.. DENLY, United States
Minister to China. stating that the ISL
and Of Formosa has declared her inde-
pendence. that the powers have been
so notified and that a government, re
publican in form, has been established
in Formosa. This adds new compll-
cation to the situation in the East.
Before this government can recognize
the Formosan independence it must be
shown that a provisional government
which can stand has been organized.
There are great numbers Of japanese
in Formosa. and it remains to be seen
what course they will adopt.
The information contained in Minis
ter Denbys dispatch was taken at the
State Department to mean thaI IHe
Minister awaited instructions to recoS-
nize the new government or that II
was in a position to be recognized Dy
the United States. But there Is not
likely to be any such action taken Oy
the government, nor would Minister
DENLY be justified in taking any such
step. The United States recognizes
Formosa as belonging to Japan anu
no matter what may be the form oil
government which the TevOlutionlsts
of the island may have organized
recognition of the independence OF the
island would be distinctly an un-
friendly act toward Japan. 1t IS not
for the United States Minister to emma
or to any other country TO recognize
the independence Of any island IN re-
volt The United States does not rec
ognize the Cuban rebels and the move
ment in Formosa cannot be regarded
as ANYTHING more than a rebellion
against Japan.
A REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT
in Formosa is treated with derision at
the department. The population OF For
mosa is composed of savages, reclaimed
savages and Chinese immigrants. Inc
latter are of the lowest classes OF Chl-
nese and the people there, it IS de-
clared. would not know what repoDil-
can form of government was.
Formosa is one of the richest ISL
ands of the sea. Nine-tenths OF the
tea. used in the United States is produc-
ed there. and it supplies Japan with
sugar. and exports large quantities OF
camphor. 1t has petroleum and coal,
but these have never been worked.
They are in the northern part OF the
island and will be of immense value
to Japan. The population has been
estimated at a million and quarter.
The principal harbOr is K-lung, from
| which a small railroad extends into
the interior. The island contains about
$4,000 square miles. The western half
has been subdued and is very product
i've while the eastern part is largely
in a savage state.
The Japanese legation here has re-
| ceived no advices on the rebellion
in Formosa and the establishment OF
an Independent republic. The officials
do not attach much weight to the affair,
saving that the natives are little ad-
yanced from savagery and are incapa-
| Bile of organization or military action.
/ They fight with bows and arrows. The
| Chinese soldiers who were on the island
! have been withdrawn, so that only the
natives with their rude arms remain.
Against this. it is pointed out, is the
powerful army and navy of japan avail
able to suppress a rebellion from such
a barbarous class. Japan recently des-
ignated a viceroy or governor-general
for Formosa, and he left about two
weeks ago, escorted by a fleet of ia
pans modern cruisers. The latter are
now in the large ports Of Formosa.