Directory_and_Chronicle_1909 — Page 761

FORMOSA

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kind of backbone to the island, the loftiest peak of which, Mount Morrison (Niitakayama), is 13,880 feet high. On the western side of this range the slope is more gradual than on the eastern side, and broken by fertile valleys which lose themselves in the large undulating plain on which the Chinese are settled. The whole of the territory east of the dividing chain is peopled by an aboriginal race who acknowledged no allegiance to the Chinese Government and made frequent raids upon the outlying Chinese settlements, and they have proved troublesome also to the Japanese, notwith- standing that the latter spare no effort to establish amicable relations with them. They are a savage and warlike people, allied to the Malays and Polynesians, and live principally by the chase.

The total population of Formosa is given as 3,183,417. The Chinese population is about 2,999,214; whilst 569 tribes of aborigines, described in the returns as savages, aggregate 113,163 persons. The latest census returns give the number of Japanese in the island as 71,040. The revenue down to 1904 averaged about 20,000,000 yen a year, but in 1905-6 it amounted to yen 25,414,146, in 1906-7 to yen 26,127,608, in 1907-8 to yen 29,257,171, and in the current year it is estimated at yen 33,870,000. The value of the exports to foreign countries in 1906 was yen 9,779,084, and imports from foreign countries amounted to yen 12,738,460. For 1907 the figures were exports yen 9,741,429, imports yen 11,220,685. The trade with Japan in 1906 was returned as exports yen 18,259,527, imports yen 15,634,339, the figures for 1907 being exports yen 17,634,673, imports yen 19,750,445.

The productions of Formosa are numerous, vegetation being everywhere most luxuriant, testifying to the richness of the soil. Tea and camphor are largely cultivated and exported. The fauna includes bears, monkeys, deer, wild boar, badgers, martens, the scaly ant-eater, and other smaller animals. Birds are not very numerous, and snakes not so common as might be expected where vegetation is so abundant. It is believed that the mineral wealth of the island is very considerable. The gold mining industry is advancing rapidly. In 1902 no less than 48,400 ounces were obtained from the mines and alluvial washings, representing a value of £168,626. In 1903, 42,770 ounces of a value of £138,964 were exported to Japan, in 1904, 58,680 ounces valued at £173,968, in 1905, 52,272 ounces worth £206,380, in 1906, 48,132 ounces worth £187,420, and in 1907, 42,300 ounces valued at £162,232. The output of silver in 1907 was about 19,000 ounces. At present there are three gold mines. The gold mines and alluvial washings are situated in the Kelung and Zuiho districts, and the industry from all accounts allows of considerable expansion. There are many coal mines near Kelung and sulphur springs also exist in the north of the island. The interior of the island is, however, still practically unexplored.

One great drawback to the island is its want 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, while on the west coast most of the harbours are little better than open roadsteads. Harbour improvements are now being carried out in Kelung, and at Takow. Taipeh is the capital of Formosa, but Tainan-fu is the chief city in point of population. The open ports are four in number, viz.; Takow and Tainan-fu in the south, and Tamsui and Kelung 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 island, from Kelung in the North to Takow in the South, is now completed, and was officially opened by H. I. H. Prince Kan-In on 24th October, 1908. Short lines also connect Taipeh and Tamsui in the north, and Kyu-kyoku-do with Takow in the south. A line along the east coast is likewise in contemplation. The trade of the island shews steady development, and municipal improvements are noticeable. In Taipeh water-works are in course of erection, and amongst numerous new buildings are large markets, and a first-class European hotel. In Taichiu practically a new city is being made, whilst in Takow large reclamations are under way, wharves are to be erected, and extensive dredging operations to be undertaken, etc.

From the north of the island Ooloong tea forms the principal export, its value in 1907 being yen 5,181,783, camphor coming next with a value of yen 2,619,143. Rice is also largely shipped to Japan. The Government is endeavouring to encourage the manufacture of black tea for export to Europe, and is said to have been successful in the experiments so far made with that object. Flax, hemp and jute are amongst the articles of export, and there is now a factory at Koroton