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314
REVIEW
e Island of Formosa, Past and Present. By ames W. Davidson, F.R.GS. MacMillan Co., London and New York. Kelly & Watch Hongkong M2, Davidson has produce a volume of upwards of 700 pages, in which the history, the people, the resources and the commercial pros pects of the " Beautiful Isle "are dealt with in A very full, instructive and interesting manner. The size of the book, considering the compara tive insignificance of the subject, may soom to many somewhat appalling, but we know of few books of the kind more readable from beginning one before us. No other book exists in the English language dealing' with the island in anything like an exaustive manner,・ and it was mainly, this fact, coupled with his exceptional facilities for acquiring the necessary information, which induced Mr. Davi.lson to undertake a task which has occupied him practically ever since the Japanese occupation of the island in 1895. Mr. Davidson was a member of the Peary- Arotic Expedition which turned just as the War broke out between China and Japan. He went to Formosa with the Japanese Army as a newspaper correspon- dout and many of our readers will doubtless recollect the very informing letters which ap- peared over his signature at the time in the Daily Tress. Mr. Davidson has since settled in the island collecting materials for a look which all students of the Far East will prizə.
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The Portuguese are commonly regarded as the first Europeans to establish themselves in Formosa, but Mr. Davidson says this is an er.or probably due to the fact that the Portuguese gave to the island the name Formosa. Careful researches have failed to discover that the Portuguese had any settlement in the island in tle sixteenth-century when the name "Ilha Formosa" (Beautiful Isle) was applied to itby Portuguese sailing down the west coast, The Dutch were the first European settlers in Formosa, force at Taiwan in 1624, Trade in those They landed a large early days depended not upon the quality of the goods, but upon the military strength to control the markets, and we are told that the Dutch consequently valued the island chiefly on account of its strategical position. From Formosa the Spanish commerce between Manila and China, and the Portuguese commerce be tween Macao and Japan could by constant attacks be made so precarious that much of it would be thrown into the hands of the Dutch, while the latter's dealings with China and Japan would be subject to no interruptions. The Dutch however, did not find their position as comfort able as they expected, and were, after 30 years' occupation, in 1662, driven out by Koxinga, who sailed from Amoy with an expedition of 25,000 for the purpose. In the succeeding chapter, we have an account of the island under the government of Koxings and his des- cendants from 1662 down to its surrender to the imperialist forces in 1683 In succeeding chapters Mr Davidson furnishes a very full-history of the island under Chinese administration, during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and this forms per- haps the most interesting section of the book, embracing as it does full records of the foreign intercourse with the island from the expedition of the Hungarian Count Bemjowsky in 1771 down to the occupation of the island by the Japanese iu 1895,
centre without inter Chinese
It is especially interesting to residents of Hongkong to learn that when the English were on the look out for a trade - might||||be carried on rence of oppression from the Formosa was thought of that
before Hongkong. Prior the occupation of this Colony in 1842, formosa we are, told was frequently suggested by the British in China as convenient and desirable soquisition." Chusan and Ningpo were the othe oes mentioned as alternatives. The the American authorities. was also bility of occupying a portion time the swift American the Chins trade. and large number of wrecks ted boasts of Formosa
clip
occurring on
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
[May 4, 1903 and the blood-curdling masssores of the crews, | When hit in, Kowloon brought the ball to the or the life of slavery to which the captives opposite, end, and Carleton ently contreing of the savages, that I-d_ were reduced if they fell into the hands to Thornhill, the latter OPE that Americs should occupy part of the island pressing home the
t_I-d_to_ the suggestion back-hander hit, a goal. Kowloon were now and thus render assistance to the shipping several times; eventually Carleton from a hard-
attack, but hit wide
station as well as an entrepôt for American There was some futile play till call of time, world in general and secure to herself a naval angle put the ball through between the fags.. goods. In the very year that the British took when the score stood in favour of Kowloon by. possession. of Hongkong 197 British subjects 3 goals 3 subsidiaries to 2 goals 2 subsidiarie were massacred in Formosa, so that England had ample justification for action. But neither England nor America felt inclined to take advantage of the opportunity, and in turn France and Germany appear to have considered the question, but finally Formosa dropped out of the view of the Foreigu Powers and remained | unthought of for a number of years
trade was taken by the diplomatic repre- The first step in opening the island to foreign sentatives of America and Russia in 1858, who were successful in inducing the Chinese Government to declare Taiwan open to foreign residence and trade. the commercial career of the island," Mr. "The beginning of
Davidson says,
may be dated from 1858, when the two Hongkong firms, Jardine Matheson & Co. and Dent & Co. first engaged in the that they had representatives actually establish- Formosa trade. True, it was not until 860 ed in the islands as general merchants; still, in 1958-9 they both handled a large quantily of Formosan camphor, which was obtained as pre-arranged from the mandaring who had a monopoly of the trade,”
intercourse with Formosa is told with mus. From this time onward the story of foreign
detail and many old China hands will peruse this section of the book with the liveliest interest.
are
of the islands follows, and then several chapters A graphic account of the Japanese occupation
devoted to the industries and natural discribes the inhabitants and the final chapter resources of the island. A special chapter headed Formosa of to-day supplies an interesting account of what has been accom- past seven or eight years. plished in the island by the Japanese during the
must ever remain a standard work on Formosa. Mr. Davidson has produced a volume which He has embodied in it all that is of interest and importance in whatever has previously been written about the island, and the result as is complete a record as it is possible to acquire. Besides two new maps the volume includes no fewer than 168 illustrations from photo- graphs. The appendix includes a comparative vocabulary of the nine savage groups in the island; a description of the land birds, the mamalia and the climate of the island, and there is a useful index cccupying 46 pages.
POLO.
On the 25th ult. Kowloon met Hongkong, on the ground at Causeway Bay. The teams. were constituted as follows -
Hongkong
Mr. Johnston Mr. C. H. Ross Capt. Keller Mr. Lyon
F
Kowloon
1 Mr. Badham-Thornhill 2 Capt. Carleton
3 Capt. MacGeorge 4 Capt. Whitehead First Chukker.-At the first throw in Kow- loon got possession and succeeded in scoring a subsidiary. From the hit off a corimmage ensued and the play was confined to the Hong kong end, but eventually the Kowloon No. 1 rescued the ball, eluded the opposing back, and notched a goal. After this, on the throw in some give-and-take play. took place, until Ross got possession and sent the ball well up the field, when Johnstone notched a goal. On resuming, Hongkong captured the ball and got to within a few feet of the Kowloon goal, which was cleared. After this each side scored a subsidiary.. Play now centred in the Kowloon half, and after Hongkong had pressed for a while Lyon, unopposed, hits goal.
ScoreHongkong, 2 goals 1 subsidiary; Kowloon, 1 goal 2 subsidiaries.
Second - Chukker.-Play opened in Hong- kong's half till Carlton got in some good hits and carried the ball on and scored a subsidiary. After this play was all over the ground till Hongkong had a shot, but the ball went wide,
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free of dust, while the play, though lacking at. The ground was in excellent condition and times that combination which ensures success, was un loubtedly a good exhibition, The Kow loon team was the better one, but they had to. play up to win, as the even nature of the contest shows.
..
THE V.R.C.
The popularity of this up-to-date sud go- ahead institution has perhaps never been marked in a more definite degree than at the present under its auspices, affording as they do oppor- time. The numerous events that have been held
tunities for witnessing and participating in healthy sport of an enjoyable and invigorating nature, have served to establish for it a strong the Club a reputation not surpassed in the East claim upon public consideration, and won for by that of any similar organisation. On its premises at Kowloon are to be found everything that makes for the promotion of vigorous man- hood. In the new gymnasium are the latest athletic appliances-horizontal bars, parallel bars, foils, single-sticks, frapeze, and ropes for climbing purposes, besides a couple of
horses German developers. The old gymnasium was blown and three sets of Sundow's
down in the last typhoon, and the present one a roomy building, 65 feet long by 34 feet broad, has been erected at considerable expense. It is
and abont 50 feet high; its eight windows serve;
end of the gymnasium is a serviceable stage to admit abundance of light. At the upper temporary erection, it may be remarked, which can be taken down es ily when ordinary requirements render its removal desirable. The stage scenery is the work of Mr. W. Farmer, Footlights have not been forgotten, and the and it reflects great oredit on his amateur brush,
tout ensemble, everything considered, is very effective. At the back of the stage are a couple of rooms, one for devotees of ping-pong and the other for those a eking relaxation in literature. The floor of the gymnasium, we had almost forgotten to say, is raised three feet from the ground, and borne on strong supports. At the end near the door is set apart a place for the stowing-away of cars, a number of which have been ordered from home. The swimming- pond and its appliances everyone is familiar with. In that part of the Club's premises alloted to the storing of the numerous boats of various descriptions are compartments where swimmers may indulge in fresh water showers, baths, and upstairs, whence a commanding view of the harbour can be had, is a well set-up bar liberally stocked with refreshments. Every- thing about the place, indeed, is up-to-date, and the large balance to the Club's credit shows how sound is its financial position and how: capably it is conducted.
HONGKONG BOAT CLUB.--
£
between three boats crews. The first two made On the 25th ult. a scratch race took place a fiue raos of it, the winners getting in ahead. by only half-a-length. The result was.
1. Station No. 2.46
Po Ei Davis (bow) Le
R. Brabazon d
G. C. Brückner ong W. 0. Köhler (stroke)
H. W. B. Kennett (cox)
GA. Seth (bow) N. Lücker
2. Station No. 1,
- G. Lüdersdals,
J. D. Danby (stroke) - ** *** H. M. Bain (cor) diet 3, Station No. 3,
E. Barlow (bow) 533 = CER strays – Hi Norris
Wi'l'urnera aviles storefer J. Hauce (stroke), veju v čis A Somerville (cox)