New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-03
rt1L, SITUATION IN THE EAST

TuE SITUATION IN THE EAST.
The demands made by Germany upon emma AZ
cabled from Peking on Monday last are as ioiio"S'
Germany asks for the discovery and execution
10 the murderers Of the missionaries. Mes ana
yIennle the punishment of the implicated oficia''
,ncIud,n0 the Governor of the Province of shan
Tunr: the reconstruction Of the missionary build-
ings the payment Of an indemnity or oo"oD ''teHS
70 the relatives OF the victims the payment oi "
heavy indemnity to the expenses of the Ger.
man naval expedition. and the maintenance OF 'he
C,erman force AT Kiao-Chau Bay. the railroad mon
opoly of the Shan-Tung province. and the occupa-
ton Of Kiao- Chau Bay as a German coailng s'a-
ton.
II was reported in London yesterday evening tha'
+he views Of the Russian Government have under
oone q change as 10 the situation OF kiao-Chau
Bay 1t was first understood that Russia ac-
ouesced In the German occupation OF |hnese ter
rtory: but II Is now said that seeing the la'se
force Germany is assembling there, Russia is in
cned, with France. TO oppose ''"fihan a0'''' III
China.
II also currently reported yesterday at
Shanghai that France. Germany and Russia had
entered into a compact FOR the acquisition of Chi
nese territory, Germany taking the Shan-luhg
Peninsula Russia taking Corea and France taking
Fo-Kien and the Island Of Formosa. Fo-kien Is
an important maritime province OF China. west ana
northwest of the Island OF Formosa. OF which FOO
Choo- Foo is the capital city. This province Is
among the most wealthy in China producing
great deal Of the finest black tea. camphor tobacco
and sugar. In addition to iron. indigo and alum
The Of Annoy. on the island Of that name is
also within the boundaries OF Fo-Ken. and Is Sit
uated opposte the centre OF the Island Of For
,nosa The merchants Of Annoy are considered
among the wealthiest in the Chinese Empire
Annoy was captured by the British IN 1stl. and by
the treaty of Nanklng. In 1872. this port. with
others was opened TO their trade. BY supple
mentsry treaty in ls43, other foreigners were adj
rniied TO the same privileges as the British sub
jects. The population Of the city OF Annoy alone
Is about three hundred thousand souls. and the
population OF the island is about four hundred
thousand. The population Of the Province Of Fo-
KEN is about fifteen million.
THE ISLAND THE FRENCH WANT.
The Island Of Formosa which the French
credited with intending 10 take their share Of
the grab Of Chinese territory. is island about
TWO hundred and forty-five miles long and one hun
dred miles wide in It's Droadest part. The soil Is
extremely fertile and well cultivated. and the cli
mate is healthy Its commerce is confined chiefly 10
Fo-Kien. Coal OF fair quality extends over large
Formosa ceded to Japan by the treaty
Of shimonosek after The recent war between China
tenton Of acq .ring il, she must either engage IN
ment the subject with the japanese Government.
The population ot Formosa is about two million
the Province Of Fo-Ken. Aside from me wealthy
Chinese tea dealers the principal merchants are
English shipping and commission merchants and
Parsees who ex.'ort tea. camphor sugar drugs,
rice )ute ana aood ne The are coasi of Fo l
mosa is arnost entirsy Inhabited by aboriginal
Kelung, whch place exports already great quan-
Tamsin, in the northern part Is noted for its ex-
ports Of tea In the TonqGin war A. IN ~ me
French feet ATTEMPTED TO capture, Tansin; bu', IN
French warships Triumphante and Tourv.le. were
forced owing it said. TO the shallow water III
the harbor. 70 Withdraw north TO kelgng wnicn @
they captured and aiterward sent marines south
upon the tea plantations in the neighborhood or
Tamsin threatening 10 stop the export OF tea from
tad the oft nj
Foo and Takao. from which are exported sugar,
samphor cinnamon pepper drugs etG IN aranes ansse
cocoanuts and tobacco are extensively grown. IN
addition to rice. maize indigo. Jute' he"p ana
many other products.
JAPAN's ABSORPTION OF FORMOSA.
Previous to the war with China. Japan had long
desired a foothold on the Island Of Formosa, and
under some pretext. landed several thousand
soldiers the east coast in 1874. which almost led
TO war with China. In the settlement OF inc
Hung Chang. the Chinese Peace Commissioner
warned Count lio the japanese Commissioner; @ @tnai
Formosa was In turbulent state ana adViseu
Japan to walt until the island was pacihed before
FormOss." Ii Hung Chang is reported 10 have
So%f meuts s Se piece Of meat whch n Is S"dy IN
TO which Count Ito replied: But Japan is hungry
that Japsn wi sG swallow II at once VOW S see
dre r., Hung ,b Chang thereupOn way and Wiz Win
giving Orders fer oicas from the dd dsar
@ anen. so iar as possible under the circumstances
cept Japanese rule. and series Of bloody en-
gagemennts Derween the japanese and the natives
under Black Flag leaders followed The japanese
engaged in active naval operations before several
oi the ports OF ormosa, including Takao, and on
March 30 they bombarded Ta-Wnn-Foo. Riotng
soon began among the disbanded Chinese soldiers.
German British. French and other warshps were
sent TO the scene, and anarchy prevailed almost
everywhere. The Chinese in some instances Killed
their officers and British and German marines
were landed TO protect the lives and property OF
foreigners After much trouble on all sides a por-
tion Of the natives Of Formosa established a re-
public and chose a President This IL was said
done at the instance Of the Chinese and I'm
In May the japanese bombarded Kelung and s,,hse.
Quently landed there Some time afterWard the
formosa Republic collapsed. It's President Chang
Ting Sung fed and more rioting followed ON.
cial buildings were burned property was DESTROYED
and there boodshed. But the JAPANESE
persevered and In June, 1895, they practicaly
In possession OF the island. Then followed a revolt
Of the Black Flags at Tai Wan and nghtng
for the japanese Eventually the Black Flags were
routed. Since then however, there have been sey-
eral revolts against the japanese and their troops
have been credited with committing eXcesses In
their determination 10 suppress the lnsurrection
From that time on the japanese forces may be said
TO have been kept continually busy In suppressng
disorder.
GREAT BRITAIN AND JAPAN SUSPICIOUS
Great Britain and Japan. II appears from the
movements of their fleets. suspicious the
conduct Of the other Powers toward China. and 1t