Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1910-08-18


sa. But now 1t sy5s555g1 n
IS to be accomplished In. sss IS
side of a twelyemonth, and III 4 I
the Japanese government # ~
has made a special appro- 1ssss
priation of $7175,000 to s,s.
pay the military expenses. lP(--.-=--
This is on account of LE7 zGZE
che camphor business. I'm w.
I'll recently the entire
world has practically depended for its
supply of camphor upon Japan, which
has held a monopoly of the produc-
tion of that necessary article. But
the Germans have begun to manufac-
lure artificial (synthetic) camphor on
a large scale, and thus are competing
an the market to an alarming extent.
1t is very necessary under the cir
cumstances that the supply from
japanese sources shall be maintained.
lest it be replaced and crowded out by
synthetic camphor. The camphor
trees which formerly grew plentifully
in Southern Japan have been to a
great extent destroyed, owing to neg
lect of regulation that used to re-
every tree cut, and so the Japanese
are obliged to look to Formosa, where
the camphor laurel flourishes over
great extent of territory, in virgin
forests.
Unfortunately, 1t Is in the noun
famous interior of FormOsa that the
camphor laurel grows-that is to say,
in region which has been since pre-
historic times, and is today, under
savage dominion. The savages who
occupy this territory are very fierce,
and earnestly addicted to head-hunt-
ing Hitherto the camphor of their
forests has been obtained only with
their consent, and it has been custo-
mary TO pay money to their chiefs as
an inducement to refrain from destroy
ing the distilling outfits. Neverthe-
less, trouble has been frequent, and
the stills have been constantly de-
stroyed.
An unlimited number Of laborers
can be hired in Japan for ten cents
day; but not for any such price, nor
for many times that much can men be
obtained TO go into the forests of
Formosa. cut down the camphor trees,
and distill the gum, at the serious risk
Of losing their heads. 1t is we'll known
that the Japanese do not lack brav-
cry; but head-hunting TO the Formo-
san savage is a religion; nothing
from his point of view is so impor-
tant, and he will lie in wait for many
days AZ a time near a lonely path in
the woods for the sake of getting one
chop at a passing camphor-seeker.
Formosa is a big island-as large as
SARDINIA and Corsica put together. 1t
is 235 miles long and rs miles wide
More than half of its entire area is to-
day in the possession OF the savages
For some years past Japan has pur-
sued a rather interesting method for
the purpose Of bringing about their
eventual subjugation She has estab-
llshed a guard line" all around the
mountainous interior, with small mill
tary outposts at intervals along it. and
has pushed this artificial frontier
steadily forward. so as to restrict the
wild people TO slowly but surely di.
minishing domain.
BY this means II was expected that
within fifteen years OF the present
time the entire island would be
brought under civilized control But
commercial necessity has made neces-
sary q change of plan Camphor must
be had, and IL has been decided 10
wipe out or paCify all the savages
within the coming year They can
take their choice which ii shall be
Their numbers are not accurately
InOwu, of course, but It Is understood
ihat they are split up into no fewer
than 723 tribes, whose villages com.
prise from three 20 upward of three
hundred houses.
The tribes are divided into nine
groups. which are mutually hostile,
and which differ one another IN Gus.
toms and languages Some Of them,
particularly az the south end OF the
island. have already been partly clvl
lIzci and there is even established
among them a sort or rural free doliy.
cry mail service, hy native letter car
riors lu tho central range of noun
taiEs dwell the tribes OF the Vonuum
group which arc very fierce and en-
tcrpri-ius head hunters I'm 1905 they
became SEA troublesome that a military
attack WAS made upon them. result
iug iu their partial paciHcatiou.
The Atayal. or uothoru sapages. are
the largest and most powerful group
They look upon head hunting as the
chief end ana aim OF existence A hu
man head is necessary as an Offering
In AN their religious ceremouials
When a dispute arises between indi
yiduaia. decision ia awarded 20 the
ono WAu hrst secures head lad
h not recognized as adult until be has
taken head But IL must be the
head of a Japanese or Chiuaman
Their customary method Is 90 lie IN
wait ln the jungle. near a frequented
path. several of them together. IN The
hone ui obtaining the mupb.rateted