22
-(4th July.)
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
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(July 10, 1895.
GUARD FROM ANPİNG.
(6th July.)
THE POSITION IN SOUTH FORMOSA. [in the arrival of the Japanese is there- THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE BRITISH fore working for them a welcome, the they will appear presently in light of saviour of society, deliverers from disorder. This is what happened in Manchuria when the Chinese "braves had like locusts overrun the country and devoured the substance of the people. The Japanese came with money in their pockets to pay for what they req ure, and the power to protect all non-combatants from plunder or injustice. The sa ne thing will occur in Formosa, and the people will learn to at least regard their conquerors as preferable Cantonese or Fukiene se to Black Flag brigands or undiscipline
braves." The Japanese troops may nevertheless possibly meet with some trouble in subduing the
litherto fallen into that very common error
position.
14
is
The occupation of the island of Formosa
The latest suggested reason for the with- by its owners does not proceed as
drawal of the British guard from Anping rapidly is wis first ex ecte 1. It has ben
does not seem sufficient to justify the action suggested by a conte ap rary that the ander
taken. It is said there were only five British ese huve underestimate 1 th diffinis in
merchants to be protected and the interests involved were considered too small to war- the way of imposing their alministration
rant the retention of the men-of-war over the whole of the islan 1, an 1 that they
and the shore guard. The merchants ought to have landed forces simultaneously
were given the opportunity of leav ing, anl of taking with them all in the north and the south. Si far, it is trus, they have only thoroughly occupiel
their moveable property, and this the Ad- miral 'seem, if the suggestion made is Kelung, Tamsui, and Taipeh-fu, with the
correct, to have considered sufficient. No country aljining. They have also pushed
official statement has been made on the a fore in the interior and occupied Toko-Hakkas and Black Flags, who will offer much subject and there may be other reasons ham, but they can hardly by said to have the same sort of resistance that the dacoits beyond those already suggested, though it in Burmah and the so-called pirates in is difficult to divine what they can be. No subjugated the whole of the north, though Tonkin opposed to the pacification of those doubtquestions will be asked in Parliament on we believe this will prove a mere q testion of countries. The operation of wiping them the subject, or may already have been asked, time and present no great difficulty. But it out in Formosa should, however, pove a less and the Admiralty's explanation will then be- certainly would seem that the delay in land-difficult one than has been the case in the come known. In the meantime we have two ing a larg⋅ force in the more pópulous south countries mentioned, oving to its insular suggestions made to account for the remarkable course which has been adopted. In the first is likely to turn out a rather serious mistake.
Meantime the position of the foreign place, it is said that during the typhoon sea- Why this delay has taken place we are residents at Auping is causing some anxiety.
son it would be unsafe for the ships to re- unable to say. The Japanese have notThey have sent their moveable property to main at Anping, where the anchorage
Amoy, but they seem determined to exposed and dangerous. Incidentally the of underv iluing the for, but they have ben stick to their immovable property at all extreme discomfort to the crews, in a careful always to provide an adequate force odds. Whether the withdrawal of the forces tropical climate, of living on vessels with and feel their way before coming to any landed from the British ships can be just steam constantly up, has been mentioned; engagement. They have had before them, fied Admiral BULLER should be best quali also the heavy item of coal expenditure. as an object lesson, the history of French fied to say, but on the face of it their retire- Secondly, the suggestion is made that the in- mistakes in attempting to occupy the Beau- ment has an ugly look, and is undoubtedly terests involved are too small to warrant the tiful Island, and should have been able to open to criticism. It may be argued that continuance of protection. As to the danger profit by that record. And no doubt it is the residents were urged to cross to the form typhoons, it may be replied that with a too early in the day to assert that they have mainland with their opium and treasure, sufficient guard on shore it would be un- not profited by French experiences in 1884- leaving any other damage to be inade up by necessary that the ships should remain per- 1885. They canuot but be aware, not only of the Government, but they naturally do not manently in the barbour with steam up; the jungly and mountainous character of the like the labours of years undone by the they might have remained at Amoy, or the interior, but also of the presence of the hand of the looter and were apparently quite nearest safe anchorage, and maintained daily Hakkas or Hillmen, a fighting race, who are satisfied that, while they enjoyed the assist-
or frequent communication. If it be said · adepts at guerilla warfare; of the savages,ance of the British seamen and marines they that it would be unsafe to leave men on who may possibly be bribed to take the war would be able to give a good account of Lushore without the support of the ships, the path against the new rulers; and of the YUNG FU and all his rabble, if, indeed, they answer is that the shoe force could have malaria that lurks in the dense for sts and ever dared to attempt to carry their threats been increased. One or two companies the swampy plains under the hot summer into execution. The British CONSUL evi- of the Hongkong R ginent might have sun. The Japanese War Department, dently supported them in this view, inasmuch been sent over if necessary. A force which has shown so much foresight in pro-as he appealed to Sir NICHOLAS O'CONOR,,
of two or three hundred would have viding for the health and security, of the and the Minister as obviously took the same
Do difficulty in holding the position troops, so much care in not wasting lives, view, as he called upon the naval authorities against the rabble known as the Black has, we may be sure, reckoned upon all these to give their protection to the British re. Flags. A great deal of nonsense has been difficulties. The very foresight and judgment sidents in Anping But ADMIRAL BULLER, talked about the prowess of the latter, hitherto displayed, however, only make us for reasons that may be unimpeachable, has founded on the resistance they offered to the wonder the more why steps were not taken declined to allow the force of seamen and French in Tonkin. What they did there was earlier to paralyse resistance aud crush out marines landed to remain, and great is the always to retire when the French moved for- any lingering hope that may be entertained exultation of the Black Flag leader, who ward, trying, however, to keep up a guerilla among the Chinese Formosius that Japanese now, fearless of contradiction, asserts that, warfare by cutting off small detachments or rule can be averted.
if they had not been withdrawn, he would stragglers. We do not suggest that two or There must be
sume good reason, however.soon have served them with a very summary three hundred British troops could safely for the apparent tardiness in the Japanese notice to quit. In the absence of any ink-march out to meet ten or twenty thousand South Formosa. Possibly they ling of the reasons that swayed the gallant Black Fags, but the experience of the French push their way overland from Admiral in arriving at this to us perplexing in Tonkin was that any post could be safely or two hundred men, and Conquering as they go, and conclusion, we are at a loss to know how he held by one.
their dininistration i one coul defend his action if it proved the cause there would certainly have been no danger another, leaving only order be of great loss of life and property at Anping, in leaving a small British force on shore at That may be an intelligible We sincerely trust that no crisis will arise Anping. The only question is, whether it course, but it is not what was expected. It which may necessitate a public defence of
was worthwhile. The mere fact that the was believed that a second expedition, this action, and we cannot doubt that the Black Flag leader had demanded the with- following quickly on the first, That so quickly Admiral has what at least seem to him all-drawal of the guard ought to afford sufficient captured Kelung and Tamsui, wold be sufficing reasons for it. Possibly, he has answer to this. LIU YUNG-FU is now boasting landed at Anping or some port in the south, come to an understanding with the Japanese that the British retired m consequence of occupy the important cit of Tainan-fu, on the subject, who may have pledged them- his threats to remove them, which is not and drive out the Black Flags, wo have selves to make good all losses of property calculated to raise British prestige in the established themselves there, to the great that might be entailed by the temporary estimation of the natives. That, however, discomfort of the peaceable population and withdrawal of the foreign residents in South is by the way; the more immediate question the mominent danger of the foreign re Formosa. However this may be, it would is as to whether the material interests in- sidents. The Black Flig ciel LIU YUNG- seem that he is unable or unwilling to give
volved were sufficient to justify ex- Fu is gaining time, but unless he is ree-iv- his reasons but only urges them to withdraw, traordinary measures for their protection in ing support from China it is a doubtful and as an inducement bas re-embarked their a time of emergency. To this there can boon to him
The number of he is thoroughly disgusting | defenders. If the foreign residents could only be one the Chinese and preparing for a joyful only receive official assurance that they would the British merchants does not acceptance of Japanese rule as an alter-be fully indemnified for all losses attendant to have any direct bearing on the matter. native to anarchy, violence, and rapine. on their temporary withdrawal they would Whether conducted by a large or small As a matter of policy, perhaps, the delay not hesitate to leave Formosa,
number of merchants the fact remains that
Meter Lind
answer.
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