The Minneapolis journal., 1901-03-19

ers, 1913. Banks. 9; capital, 1o,150.OOO yen;
notes issued, 3,776,7OO yen.
Public domains and industries 49,. s,357, 900
Excise 6o2 O00
miscellaneous "......................... " S77' 900
EXPENDITURES.
Civil ......................... ,12e oOe
Military ......-.-.-....-.....---.. S,T4OVo
Total 80. 900 900
yen is practically 50 cents, United States
money.
The civil list includes construction Of rail-
ways. harbors, roads, lighthouses, etc,
amounting to 8,679, 900 yen. The military list
includes expenses of fortifcations. The diff
ference between revenue and expenditure Is
made up by railway loans and the subsidy
Of the general budget of the empire. The
revenue is rapidly increasing, and in few
years there will be no need of subsidy. The
natives also will soon be able TO govern
themselves and finance their own govern
ment in local affairs
Prospects for Further Advancement.
This testimony from the famous Japanese
economist and statistician. Mr.. Sakatani, is
supported by the following from the Japan
Times Of Jan. 6. 1901:
administration of Formosa, the result Of the
last three years administrative efforts under
the present able governor general Baron
Kodama, has been successful beyond all rea-
sonable expectations When his excellency
| first assumed control of affairs in the island
| colony, in 1885, it was estimated by him that
| the revenue, which was at that time less
than 5000, 900 yen per annum, would be IN
| creased to about double that sum by the
! years 1902. That estimate was regarded in
some quarters as too optimistic, but too OPP
~ eTin iF or hoin tod
| in the coming year the revenue will amount
to over IA, ,O00, 600 yen. The Formosan author
! tiles now confidently expect that the ordinary
| income Of the island will swell to u, 0O0
| yen in the next three or four years, when
the islands will be financially Independent Of
the mother country, even in respect Of the
| military and naval expenses.
The report Of the Bank Of Formosa, while
! it calls attention to the fluctuations Of silver
| as disturbing feature, also gives great en-
couragement with reference 10 the future Of
| the island.
When Baron Kodama assumed the governor
! generalship a more definite policy and strict
administration OF affairs began. Local self
| ADMINISTRATION was %couraged, particularly
by the employment a properly qualified ma
tiges in subordinate Wositions. For instance,
as very striking example, ex-bandits who
had sworn allegiance were given mail con-
| tracts, which were thus carried out cheaper
than before, because when civilians carried
| the mails it was necessary for each to be ae-
companied by soldier or policeman for pro-
| lection against bandits. 1t also proved FEAST
| BILE to use natives in the militia, and even to
appoint some Of the naturalzed subjects to
| important posts as those of councillors, under
| the prefectoral officer.
| 1t was also made definite policy that in
many cases Formosa should be exempted
| from the general laws and, ordinances Of the
empire and that special laws and ordinances
h1r
old customs. This policy was applied espe-
cially in connection with the modern revised
codes, from the application Of which Chinese
and aboriglnes were exempted.
Dealing With RebeIIious Natives.
With reference to the rebels, Baron Koda-
| mas policy is to wage relentless war on ban
dts, but when once they have submitted he
| pursues conciliatory policy. Count Kabaya-
mas plan was similar: "Subjugate it from
one side by force of arms and then confer on
the subjugated portion the benefits Of civil
government" 1t has also been found adyisa-
bic to adopt the silver yen as the basis OF
the currency in Formosa, chiefly because Of
its convenience in internal business and the
external trade with the adjoining continent
OF China. This course found employment for
the l-yen coins, which after the adoption OF
the gold standard by the Japanese govern
ment had been gradually withdrawn from cir
culation in the empire proper. Whether or
not the use Of the silver standard in Formosa
and the gold standard in all other portions or
the empire will cause serious confusion re-
mains to be seen.
When the Japanese first entered Formoga
the people as whole manifested considerable
suspicion and antipathy, due to misrepre-
sentations by persons who wished to profit BY
continuance Of the old conditions. But
when the people saw that in spite Of mistakes
ana corruption the Japanese meant we'll and
that 1t was greatly to the advantage of For
mosa to be under such a stable and responsi
bic government as the Japanese would ana
could give, feelings Of good will and conf
dence quickly followed. Now that they can
see plainly the material advantages that are
aecruing to the island, they are completely
reconclleo missionary who has lived
twenty-five years in Formosa gives his testi-
mony in behalf of the benefits obtained by
getting rid Of Chinese officialdom and the iit
erary class, who are a narrow minded and
impracticable body of men,"
Drawing Colony and Emuire CIo~a
1t should always be borne in mind thai y
is the expressed determination of the Janan.
ese that Formosa must be made BODY soul
ana spirit a part of their empire Whatever
inisIaKes tney have made, or may. make that
Is their aim Although their constitution.
tnelr codes and other instruments Of ciyiliza-
ION may not De Immediately applicable in
rormosa, they will be put into effect there
as rapidly as conditions WIN permit Local
seif-government will be extended there lust
as It has been in the territory of Hokkaido
or IN okinawa prefecture Che Loochoo is
lands).
The result Of this experiment the first Of
us KIND by Japan, will be watched with inter
est The theory of it has been learned by
study OF occidental methods, but the praeti-
m iS