Evening star., 1895-06-01

time in its history. He was for time
chief of the bureau of international tele-
graphs, and as such was sent to Europe
not long ago to an international confer
ence on tie subject. He has at different
times been sent to Corea on diplomatic
business and he was there in 1882 and in
1854 when the revolution occurred, and he
was again in Corea just before the opening
of the present war, having been sent
there to report to the government as to the
situation. Knowing as he does all about
his own country and having had a long
experience as to all matters connected with
China. there is no man in the world who
Is better fitted to discuss the present situ-
alton in the far east 1 called upon him
long talk regarding the settlement of the
war and its effect upon Japan and the
nations of the west. The talk was en-
tirely personal one. and Minister Kurino
were those of an individual, that he spoke
only for himself and not the Japanese
government
What Japan Got by the wnr.
One of my first questions was as to what
Japan got by the war. and as to what
changes the war would make on the face
of Asia?
He replied: 1T will make changes of
very important description in Asia. Japan
will, of course, have the Island of Formosa,
but as regards the occupation of the main-
land or any portion of it, the matter now
being the subject Of negotiation of the
most delicate nature, 1t would hardly be
proper for me to express an opinion on the
subject.
There is one thing, however, that
would like to say, and that is as to the as
serton which seems to have gained some
CT edence that the Japanese nation are eager
to aggrandize themselves by the acquisi-
tion of foreign territory. We are not land
colonial acquisition. Whatever concessions
We may have gained from China in this
direction are the legitimate results Of the
struggle We have waged with her, either
geographical position renders natural or
proper, or by it's acquisition for purposes
Of necessary defense against future at
taclxs."
The Island of Formosa.
"How about Formosa," your excellency,
asked. Does Japan gain much by its
acquisiton?'
'I think 1t does.' replied the minister.
'Formosa Is essentially part of q long
train of the japanese islands. These run
from Yez down to Nagasaki, then break
out little further below in the Loo Choo
Islands. Formosa is natural part of this
chain. The island can hardly be called
Chinese province, except in name. Its
Chinese population is not large, and great
many of the Inhabitants are savageS, who
live by hunting, and who have long been
a menace to all strangers shipwrecked on
their coasts. They have in the past killed
Japanese, French. English and Americans
and it is said that they eat part of the
bodies of their enemies.
"They are not cannbals in the ordinary
ser.se of the word. but they celebrate their
victories by feasts of this kind They tat
too their faces and skin. and they are
divided up into tribes. These men are
very fierce, and the japanese, in taking
the island will control them. Under the
Chinese rule they have been allowed to Co
as they pleased. You remember In 1872 a
their coasts was slaughtered by them. We
sent an embassy to Peking and demanded
redress. and that the offenders be given
up to justice. The Tsung Ii yamen. or bu-
reau of foreign affairs, said they could not
restrain the savages. Our embassy then
replied that if they would give the .Japa-
nese permission to do so, that they would
control them. This was acceded to. and
an expedition was sent from Japan to For
mosa. The savages were conquered and
subdued. Our men began to make some
improvements, and we instituted a govern
ment over the parts we had conquered:
The Chinese at once became alarmed, and
they demanded that the Japanese leave
Formosa. They were SO earnest about it
that they paid the japanese the sum of
100000 taels in order to get them TO go.
put on the ground that the Japanese had
done work to the amount of the money
given in road-building. ETC."
"Is Formosa rich country?"
Yes 1t ic very rich." was the reply. 'It
has been, at times. called the granary of
| China. 1t produces the finest tea. and the
Formosa tea commands the highest prices
in China. 1t yields great quantities of
rice. 1t has valuable forests. and it is
said to contain fine gar-growtng terri
tory 1t has coal, and its mineral re-
sources are as yet undeveloped. A chain Of
mountains runs through the island but 1t
| has large alluvial plains. and 1t is well
watered. 1t is indeed very valuable ac-
| QUESTION"
what will the japanese do with it,"
"I do not KNOW" replied the minister.