New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-26
A REPUBLIC IN FORMOSA.
,,opr,cN POWERS INFORMED OF THE
ISLANDS INDEPENDENCE.
rur FORMER CHINESE GOVERNOR ELECTED
,,rs,nrx1- MINISTER DENNY CONFIRMS
THE REPORT. BUT OFFICIALS IN

THE REPORT. BUT OFFICIALS IN
WASHINGTON DIsCREDlT IT
London. May Pa dispatch from Shanghai TO
.sThe Pail Mall Gazette says that republic has
been declared in Formosa. the flag adopted being
a yellow dragon on a blue ground. Tang CHING
hitherto the Chinese Governor of Formosa. has
beer chosen President Of the new Republic. indi-
eating that the Chinese officials who were recalled
prior TO handing Formosa over to Japan fully APP
prove Of this attempt to achieve freedom
Washington May 25-Minister DENLY cabled to
the State Department from Peking to-day con-
firming the news that FOrmosa had declared her
independence and mad informed foreign Powers
He added that the Government established was
republican in form.
officials of the State Department cannot under
stand and even doubt the information contained
in Mr. Denby's dispatch that Formosa had adopt
ed a republican form of government The word
ing Of the dispatch was Government republican"
and. while this may admit of another interpreta-
tion than that placed on IT by the Department. it
IS not clear what that other inerpre alton may be
1t is believed at the Department that nothing
short of anarchy can exist in Formosa at pres
ent All the Chinese officials withdrew from the
island before the exchange of the ratifcations of
the treaty of peace between Japan and China on
NAV g. by which Fornosa ceded to Japan
No japanese officials have yet reached the island
TO assume control Of affairs. and there has been
absolutely no authority in existence there.
1t is explained at the State Department that
the character of the inhabitants of Formosa is
sufficient to show that no republic has been es-
tablished. Their ignorance is such that they
know absolutely nothing bout republican form
OF government. and their sole idea of anything
approaching liberal power centres in oligarchy
The agricultural class Is composed of poor and
ignorant Chinese peasants. while the native in
habitants who live principally in the interior
savages.
The present population is estimated at about
5000 600 and includes between 10000 and 10000
of the BLACK Flags" an organization of chi
nese brigands. who may be termed soldiers OF
fortune They were sent to Formosa by the
Chinese Government 10 defend it against the
japanese. ., -
firmng the reported declaration of independence
in Formosa and the establishment of a republic
there, and utterly dscredits the report
japanese war feet is now in the neighoorhood
of Formosa. and when last heard from was
at the Pescadore Islands not more han
days sail from Tai-Way. the CHIEF commerca
city of Formosa 1t is asserted tnat II an up
rising has occurred 1t is probably at that point
and that the japanese can quell 1t within twen-
ty-four hours. The island contains large num-
bers of Chinese subjects. who had graouaiiy
colonized the western coast, winch lies opposi'e
10 Fo- Kien one Of the most thickly populated
provinces of China. They nave been governor
by a Viceroy. who has oscillated IN the dlschaige
of his official duties between Annoy ana iai-
Way 1t is said If the report should be founu 70
have a basis in fact that the uprising may De
due to the intrigues OF certain Cninese oHc,ais
with a view to embarrassing the Japanese Inc
aborigines In the island are brave ana war
IKE people. of Malay extraction. ana Win st,ons
cannibalistic tendencies. They have never oeen
conquered by the Chinese who have mace no
attempt to penetrate far into the interior put
have remained on the coast because oi '"e'
fear of conflict with the natives.