The Lehi sun. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1913-1949, 1922-05-04

SOCleNgs NhbniuHNonf a. ~
One Of the most important Of the
"sllces OF China" taken by outside ma
lions, but one which there has been no
mention OF restoring, is the island
which the world knows as FOrmosa,
but which the japanese. since they
gained possession Of II through the
Chlno-Japanese war, have named TUT
wan.
"Ihla ormosa"-Beautlfu Isle--the
early Portuguese voyagers called II ;
and never was more appropriate
name given to an isle Of the sea.
II you care to confirm this In one Of
several pleasant ways, soil along the
west coast Of Formosa In TEX pal. or
bamboo raft, on clear day. and
you will witness a pageant Of noun
tain scenery that will haunt the men,
ory for many day.
Beyond the fertile plain. with its
emerald paddy-helds and its plctur-
esque little villages dotted here and
there on the banks OF meandering
streams, foothills with amending varla-
tons Of contour silhouette their tree
frlnged SUBMITS against the paler
screen Of more distant mountains. OF
these, sometimes five and sometimes
even six parallel ranges are visible Mt
once. each separate ribbon of. color,
shading from the deepest sapphire to
the pslest azure ind extending in an
unbfoken chain Of beauty from north
to south.
On the east Of the Island you can
see the highest coastal cliffs known. Mt
some places rising abruptly to an ele-
walton Of about 5000 feet, and afford
Ing an impregnable wall OF defense TO
the Wild aboriginal tribes living In the
mountains back Of them.
All Kinds Of Vegetation.
FormOsan scenery Is unusual in its
diversity Of vegetation within such
narrow confines-the greatest length
Of the island from north to south is
about 264 miles and 80 miles is its
greatest width.
From the palms and tropical fruit
trees OF the western plain II is only n
short step to the slopes OF the lower
mountains, with their exuberant
tungles OF various growths-the beard.
ed banyans. the graceful tree ferns.
which In sheltered hooks attain the
height of palms. and the ubiquitous
bamboo grass.
Here, among mOss-strung trees. il
found growing the beautiful butterfly
orchid, while In exposed spaces. mes.
Ting among the rocks. rose-plnk azaleas
Haunt their gay blooms. A little high !
er are plhteaus covered with camphor
nurel' the largest tracts OF these yalu-
able trees In the world, while SIN
higher grow the forests OF tonIferons
trees-the giant benihi. similar 10 the
redwoods Of California. the largest
trees 10 the East and the second
largest In the wG=ld; the valuable
hinoki or japanese cypress. and tae
pine cedar and spruce OF the New
England states; and higher yet the
rasgy peaks Of the tallest mountains
)ut sparsely covered with vegetation !
~ any sort, where engles build their
aests ara which for the greater mar,
OF the S'ar lie beneath a mantle OF
snow.
The uSral approach to the island IA
me port Of Kelung. In the extreme
l'rth' Almost any time one arrives
= kelung the rain VIII be found com. |
ing down In sheets, obscurlng the hin.
crested hurbor.
Hoard truin for Taihoku. the conl
lhl city. which on most mans stiL |
oenrs It's old Chinese name Of Talnah
ma IN about ten minutes Won wifi noss
through long tunnel. under n mopn
'a'h ridge on the other side OF wbicn
you VIII In all probability find tho
landscape flooded with sunshine Rain
ss'lis MS out of place IN this new
world MS stars In the broad daylIgh,
. Here and there the trnlp nosgas ,n
LOW mud' matched dwelling Of some
InlheSe homestender with n moo, q,
water by way Of front ward u,hora
'Hge slate-colOred buffnloes tnke thair
noOnday slesta. "' '''''
~, nalhOku Is Fine City.
Inc distance Of 20 miles 10 TnIhoh,
. covered In n little more than an
'oUr' and there the traveller IL snre 60
'e amazed al the westerniged anneor.
nee OF the city--the broad streets ,ha
,e"ulliul parks, and the Imposing pub.
/" ou'lulngs. Only the gateways OF
ne old wan which surrounded the
'hciem Chinese city. remain. hooking
- OUT OF place In their reluvenated
e','ng as lhe Egyptian obellsk in Cen.
raj park. Even DaltoteI the chinese
eei"n OF Talholsu. is nnnaturaIIv
i'"r '0' Chlness ch..