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FORMOSA
in the vicinity of Keelung, viz., at Kinkaseki, Zuiho, and Botanko. There are many coal mines, also, near Keelung, and sulphur springs exist in the north and centre of the island. The interior of the island is being gradually explored, but many years must elapse before it becomes thoroughly known.
One great drawback to the island is its lack of good harbours, which is more especially felt on account of the strength of the monsoons in the Formosa Channel. These on the eastern side are few and neither commodious nor accessible; whilst on the west coast, with the exception of Keelung in the north and Takow in the south, they are little better than open roadsteads. Harbour improvements are still being car- ried out at Takow, whilst further important harbour works are in contemplation at Keelung, and are expected to be commenced in the near future. It is anticipated that at Takow in another two years it will be possible to handle 900,000 tons of cargo annually. It is estimated, too, that the harbour will be of sufficient capacity to accom. modate ten steamers each of 10,000 tons at the quays and twelve steamers below this tonnage at the buoys. Taipeh is the capital of Formosa, and Tainan is the chief city in the south of the Island. The open ports are four in number, viz., Takow and
and Anping in
in the south, and Tamsui and Keelung in the north. The latter was held for some months in 1884-5 by the French, under Admiral Courbet, but was evacuated on the 21st June, 1885. The rivers of Formosa are few, shallow, and winding, only navigable to small flat-bottomed boats. The scenery is delightful, and the climate is very pleasant in the winter, but hot in some parts of the island and malarious in the wet season.
A railway traversing the west side of the island, from Keelung in the north to Ako in the south-a distance of 275 miles-was officially opened by H. I. H. Prince Kan-In on October 24th, 1908. A short line also connects Taipeh and Tamsui in the north. The total length of Government railways in existence at present appoximates 395.6 miles, but light railways and tramways, mostly privately owned, have a mileage of 1,115 and 578 miles, respectively. A line along the east coast is in course of construction; the following portions have been completed and opened, viz., 55.1 miles between Karenko and Gyokiri, opened on 1st November, 1917; 13.9 miles between Giran and Suwo, opened on 5th March, 1919; and 5.9 miles between Zuiho and Hatto, opened on 5th May, 1919. Work on the northern portion is in progress, but is likely to take some years to complete. The trade of the island shows a steady development, and municipal improvements are noticeable. In Keelung, Tamsui, Takow, Taipeh and the other principal cities water-works have been completed, and amongst the num- erous buildings are large markets. Electric light is laid on everywhere. In Taipeh there is a first-class European hotel. In many of the former Chinese centres practi- cally new towns have been built.
From the north of the island tca forms the principal export, the value shipped in 1919 to foreign markets being Yen 8,208,664, and to Japan Yen 301,544. The camphor export to foreign countries in 1919 was Yen 2,557,445, and to Japan Yen 3,073,735. Rice to a value of Yen 34,491,734 was sent to Japan in 1919. Flax, hemp, and jute are amongst the articles of export, and there is a factory at Konoton, erected under official auspices, for the manufacture of jute bags for packing rice. Sugar has now become the leading industry of the island, the shipments during 1919 amounting to Yen 7,542,282 to foreign countries, and Yen 79,112.371 to Japan. The importation of Java sugar into the island, inaugurated during 1918, still continues. There are now 39 sugar factories equipped with the most modern machinery in running order, their location being chiefly in the central and southern districts; and three new ones are being erected, viz., Niitaka Seito Kabushiki Kaisha, of 800 tons daily capacity; Taiwan Seito Tookoe Koojo, of 700 tons; and Meiji Seito Keike Koojo, of 750 tons. In addition, there are 58 factories of improved Formosan type, and 290 old-style ones. It is likewise in contemplation to extend the industry to the manufacture of crystalised sugars, hitherto confined to Japan proper.
Of Imports Opium is the most important, its value in 1919 amounting to Yen 6,433,950. Kerosene, also, is an article of great importance, and considerable business is done in dry goods, engineering requirements, etc.; but, since 1898, a good deal of the trade formerly carried on with China has been diverted to Japan.