Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-09
RESTFUL FORMOSA.
influence Of the Japanese Evident
All Over the Island.

From the London Standard.
Formosa in some things is not unlike
Japan. You do not find splendid scenery,
but Just that quiet, restful beauty which
does not strike, but only appeals to you,
and which the Japanese themselves so
much love. 1t has always, and in all
Languages, been "Formosa," ever since
its christening by the Portuguese traders
in the middle Of the sixteenth century;
and it is not to be wondered at that the
Japanese have preserved the tradition by
calling it 'Takasago''-that is. "Beauti-
full Land" The city Of Taipeh lies in
vast plain not much above sea level. sur
rounded by hills. the plain almost wholly
given up to the paddy. field, rice en-
croaching even into the suburbs. OF the
old city little remains; the walls nave
vanished: only the handsome gateways
still remind the Formosan Of its some
what inglorious past. The walls numbered
the ground, hindering expansion, and,
like the meats of Toxic, they have been
sacrificed to the necessity or broad
streets and the modern demand Tor air
for the city's lungs. The temples are
fast falling into ruins, and rank grass
grows luxuriantly in the courtyards.
though some few priests still cling to
them. Alphabetically they are interest
ing, and in their paimy days must have
been picturesque on account OF the
pirogue-shaped roof-tree which. though
essentially Chinese, seems in this form 10
be peculiar to Formosa.
The modern city shows the influence OF
the japanese, who have transformed IL
into a miniature Toxic; 1t is laid out in
wide thoroughfares, running for the most
part at right angles to one another. The
houses are the usual one-storied build
ings common to the east; but modern
architecture Is becoming noticeable, ana
some handsome houses in European
style. the inevitable aecompa a rsnt.s, OF
ment House Is spacious and well appoint
ed; the residence Of the civil governor
is more modest, but it Is commOdiOus, IS
noted for a very charming hospitality. to
the foreign visitor, and. above all, Is
endowed with hrst-class library OF
books of reference in many languages,
got together by the first civil governor,
the present Baron Goto.
What strikes one most about the streets
of Taipeh is that the place seems TO
have caught not merely the outward
signs, but also the inward graces OF a
Japanese town. 1t is not merely that
| the Japanese have introduced their own
methods Of house building. and that the
small policeman and khaki-clad soldier
are much in evidence: 1T arises from the
fact that the Chinaman himself has yield.
| ed to the spirit Of order, cleanliness and
general tidiness which Is characteristic
of all towns in Japan and this not only
| In his house. but also in his person
| Being himself in his coolie state the
Il
| in the world. this strikes any one who
| is familiar with him in his own dens as
l a most remarkable achievement.
| The law courts are the courts of Toxic
| in little, and are conducted with the same
decorum. And those adjuncts of the
courts, the prisons. are excellent in every
way. They are built on the wheel plan,
all sections radiating from a center.
which is the center of all authority. and
| is thus easy Of access in cases of emer-
gency. The Chinaman whom cruel fate
deprives of liberty for some offense
| against what he deems an alien law Is
really i'm lucks way. for he experiences.
for the first time in his life, the mean
ing and virtue of cleanliness, and he
seems not even to resent discipline.
But life in Taipeh is not entirely given
up to the gray monotony Of governing
the Formosan. the Chinaman and the
Japanese settler. At the foot Of the
mountains on the extreme edge of the
plain, some seven miles from the city.
are the hot springs Of Hokuto. where
la hamlet has sprung up. and where the
Japanese can have their much-lOved hot
baths. There also the officials of higher
rank have built themselves a charming
little Gun Club, for pleasant resort in
sunny weather and peaceful occupation
on Sundays.