The herald., 1895-05-06
THE BLACK FLAGS UNRULy
Situation on the Island of For
mOsa is Serious
BRITISH LAND MARINES
Ratification of the Peace Treaty Known
to but Few Chinese
The Attitude Of France, Russia and Germany
In the Matter-Spain Continues to
Remain Neutral

HONGKONG May 5.-The situation
on the island of Formosa is serious and
fears are entertained for the safety of
foreigners there. British and German
marines have been landed at An-Ping,
on the southwest coast, Co protect the
foreign residents, and Takau harbor,
south of An:Ping, is being patrolled by
blue jackets in armed launches.
The black flags are mostly unruly. The
black flags are the irregular forces. They
are not in China's pay, though some times
she has little authority over them.
Warfare is their profession and they de-
pend upon it for bread and they raid and
rob Chinese ana others indiscrim inately.
They have no law but the commands of
their leaders. They are much bolder and
more warlike than the average Cinnamon
and have little fear of death.
The French were greatly troubled py
them in Tonquin. 1t is said that if the
Chinese can turn the black flags upon
any specially hated enemy they consider
it a great stroke of enterprise. 1t is also
said when the French. during the Ton
qun campaign, complained to Viceroy
Lii Hung Chang against the outrages Of
the black flags, to demand that he secure
their punishm ent, the viceroy said he
had no more cont rol over them than the
French had, they were robbers and China
had dsavowed them.
LONDON, May 5.-The Times has dis
patches from Pekin, saying that the fact
the emperor has ratified the treaty of
peace with Japan is known to only few
Chinese. No edict in regard to the mat
ter has been issued. Prince Kuhn. presi-
dent of the Tsung Ii Yamen, urged the
emperor to ratify the treaty.
A Hong Kong dispatch to the Times
states that the governor of Formosa says
it's concession to the japanese will pro-
duce rebellion. He declares he has lost
all control OF the soldiers and that for
eigners must save themselves. The leader
of the black flags has appealed to his
men to carry out his original orders to
prevent the japanese from landing on
the islands. Placards written by the
literati have been posted in conspicuous
places and circulated among the people,
calling upon them to resist the Japanese,
and say that if the island is to be ced ed
to any nation they prefer it should be
given to Great Britain.
A dispatch from Paris says the Temps
has telegram from st. Petersburg stating
that Japan has replied to the friendly
protests of Russia, France and Germany.
Japan agrees to renounce possession of
the Liago Tung peninsula, but says she
will retain Port Arthur. This compro-
mise leaves intact all the dangers that
the powers wished to avoid. Fresh repre-
sentations have been made to Japan and
the negotiations are actively proceeding.
A Berlin dispatch to the Tines says:
Nothing has occurred to diminish the
hope of an immediate settlement in con-
nection with the Chinese Japanese reaty,
though itIwould be difficult to say upon
what basis it will be. 1t IS probable the
compensation to Japan for foregoing pos
session of the Liao Tung peninsula will
be the payment byChina of an increased
indemnity.
A Standard dispatch from Berlin says;
The details of the negotiations of the
powers in connection with Japan are Sc
cret but it is known that Russia will be-
satisfied if she gets a slice of Manchuria
containing harbor that is free of ice.
Should the Japanese war party persist in
opposing any alteration in the peace
treaty, Count Ito, president of the Ja-
panese council of ministers, will probr
ably be sacrificed to save the situation.