New-York tribune., 1899-12-24
A VISITOR IN FORMOSA.
OBSERVATIONS OF ". J. JOHNSTON. OF
NEW-YORK-JAPAN'S FAILURE TO
SCBDUE THE ISLAND.

" J. Johnston. electrical publisher OF New
York, is a trip around the world partly on
pleasure and partly to examine into the opportuni-
ties for American export trade particularly with
respect to electrical exports the latter forming the
subject Of articles in his American electrical Jour
nal He has visited japan. Corea and China, and
on December Il sailed from Annoy TO Formosa. The
following letter has recently been received from
him In this city:
E. Heinze, German Consul at Tamsu is in japan
on a months holiday, and has cordially invited me-
cai residence is large and roomy; he is bachelor,
ana says he will be delighted 10 have me stay with
The Japanese have made a bad job Of the at
millions Of Chinese. aud also the british German
and other trades on the island. The camphor trade
mas been ruined for these. and everybody con-
ser .tSIHJIu-ChihesG natives foreign traders ana even
the japanese themsclvCs-are thoroughly sick and
tired OF the whole business. The natives who are
OF the Malay type Of savages and uncivilzed,
have never been subdued, even by the Chinese.
count OF the changes inauguraied by the japanese
regarding the camphor tratic. Natives, as think
one Chnaman before they could marry From the
way they feel toward the japanese this hatred has
slant fighting between the tribes There being no
roads across the almost precipitous mountains and
having penetrated to the heights OF the distant
mountains, the Government makes no effort to put
brigandage and rebellion even under the very
Emperor VIII not allow the soldiers 10 XIII the
rebels, but others think the force on the island
entirely insufficient TO cope with the situation.
Thousands upon thousands OF hitherto law abiding
Chinese have ioined the rebellion on account OF
what they consider the arbitrary and unfair con-
duct Of the japanese officials The British Consul
In his consular report just published refers to the
enormous decline in the export Of camphor from
South Formosa" and to the disturbed state Of the
country and the consequent difficulties encountered
in communicating. not only with the interior, but
with villages IN the vicinity OF Tainan and
the ports OF Anping and Takow. Toahul or
brigands." he adds, carried their nefarous
practices almost under the walls Of the city Of
Tainan, while throughout the greater part OF the
year the road between that place and Takow,
previously of the safest the island, was we'll
nigh impossible. The two and one-half miles OF
road between Anping and Tainan even could
scarcely be considered absolutely safe, especially
toward the close Of the year"
The British Consul at Formosa is changed every
year and IS the German. both on account OF the
unheaithfu and trying climate and 10 keep the rep
resentatve from getting out OF touch with what Is
going in the rest OF the world. There is not an
American a European woman on the Island
to even a year in Formosa is the expectation Of
everybody that stirring events are imminent in the
East. when Japan Will probably be glddto trade OF
Formosa for territory in Corea or somewhere else
in this neighborhOod.
ALTHOUGH the natives OF Forrnosa do not like the
japanese the Chinese, they are friendly with
Europeans. The American, German and British
consus at FOrmOsa some months ago met by ap-
from Tamsui. one OF the prominent savage chiefs
with a number OF his warriors. The head hunters
were immensely pleased by exhibition the con-
sus gave them of bicycle riding, and Invited the
village in the mountains. They have arranged to
go toward the end OF November. and Mr.. Heinze
has urged me 10 go along. lie says the consus Will
arrange their visit 20 suit my arrival on the island