FORMOSA
337
Amongst sundry factories and mills at various places in the island are ice-works, a brewery, a straw-board factory, two flour-mills, hosiery factories, fertiliser factors, ramie and jute mills, cement works, brick-works (many using Manchester kilns), numerous oil-extracting and rice mills, several electric-light plants, and a gas works (in Taipeh).
The foreign trade in 1932, including Japan, amounted to Yen 405,225,758. Imports from Japan amounted to Yen 133,456,947 and foreign Yen 31,040,823. Exports to Japan amounted to Yen 222,682,738 and foreign Yen 18,045,250. The exports of camphor in 1932 amounted to Yen 2,511,047; of oil Yen 2,183,078; of sugar Yen 124,893,383; of tea (oolong) Yen 2,833,161 and (Pau-- chong) Yen 1,975,158; of bananas Yen 7,144,279; of rice Yen 63,134,138; of alcohol Yen 3,496,902; of hats (paper mostly) Yen 2,215,514; of ore (gold and copper) Yen 1,804,199, and of coal Yen 1,775,851.
Imports of opium in 1932 amounted to Yen 707,792; of tobacco Yen 318,360; of cigarettes Yen 1,845,278; of sake Yen 2,195,304; of beer Yen 1,955,815;. of wines and spirits (foreign) Yen 47,978, of (Japanese) Yen 580,092; of kerosene Yen 2,194,919; of gasoline Yen 1,086,118, and textiles Yen 30,506,667.
The trade and industries of the island are steadily developing, and both fish and fruit are now being largely exported to the mother-country and Dairen, whilst recently attention has been directed to the gathering of coral, supplies of which have been found in the waters of the northern vicinity. All the principal towns are now equipped with water-works, electric lighting, and large markets, etc., and connection between them by motor lines of cars is becoming general, replacing the push cars hitherto mainly in use.
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. Those 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 have just been completed at Keelung, and are still being carried out at Takow, when completed, they will greatly increase the existing accommodation. The depth at low water at the entrance to the harbours is 30 feet and 23 feet, respectively.
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 Anping 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
on June 21st 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.
A complete system of post and telegraph services is in force while two cables connect the island with Japan proper.
A railway traversing the west side of the island, from Keelung in the north to Keishu in the south 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. On the west coast is a loop line of 56 miles between Chikunan and Oden (near Shoka). Hugging the coast, as it does, it avoids the steep gradients and numerous tunnels of the main line. On the through-line, sleep- ing-cars are now run for the accommodation of first and second class passengers. There is also a railway along the East coast, and some other minor lines partially completed. Besides the Government lines there are 1,349 miles of private railways laid by sugar companies.