September 26, 1895.]
heads they wore in some instances a tight fitting covering of deer skin.
The women were dressed with a cloth under garment and a robe hanging down from one shoulder, wrapped about the body, and fastened at the side, with the same ear ornaments as the men, although highly decorated, and with brass rings about their wrists. A broad line, perhaps two and a half inches wide, was tattooed over the lips, and continued back to their ears
The band consisted of thirteen men and boys and nine women, some with babies on their back, The chief was asked if he knew that Formosa was now occupied by the Japanese, he answering that he knew so. After considerable conversation and interest shown on both sides the officials informed the savages, "Now that the Japanese have come we should become good friends, and | if you will visit our cities we shall be glad to see you and we will want to visit your villages.” After distributing presents of knives, showy red hankerchiefs, red woollen cloth, etc., food was given them, which disappeared with great | gusto. Before leaving, the savages were asked if some of them would not like to return with the officials to Tokoham, and twelve consented, the rest returning to the forest.
After reaching Tokoham a big dinner was prepared, to which the savages were to be the honoured guests. With a scent like a blood- hound, however, these sons of the forest fore- stalled their waiting hosts by tracking the food to its source, and then following the servants carrying the victuals to the banquet hall, they helped themselves most liberally en route, after which, with their appetites scarcely tickled, they sat down to the feast. They got through the courses with amazing rapidity and continued to repeat the dose until there was danger of swamping the Commissary department, and famine stared the garrison in the eyes.
The savages were delighted to see Tokoham burnt down and one of them, first pointing to a Chinese, let forth a shout and then pointing to the burned out walls expressed his extreme satisfaction that the town had been destroyed.. And well he might; for more dastardly treacherous tricks to kill the savages have originated and been executed in that city than any other place in the north.
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After the savages had destroyed several days' rations and were for the time satisfied, they were asked if they would not like to accompany the Japanese to Taipehfu. This sent them all into the most solemn conference, in which the pros and cons "were discussed for some time, the chairman finally conveying the deci- sion that they were very sorry, but as they had not left their homes with any intention to stay so long, they could not take such a long trip without some preparation.
The officers said they were also sorry and they thought that their guests would have a good time, for they would show them lots of soldiers, let them hear. Japanese music, and would give them plenty to eat.
The last condition seemed to strike a pleasant chord in the hearts of the assembly, and the decision of the last conference seemed to be in danger of being overruled, as a man named Moton-ban" and his wife, two boys and one girl, decided that the reward was worth the venture and signified their willingness to go.
Before the reception broke up they were invited to come down to Tokoham again, to which they answered that three or four hundred would gladly come, but that the Japanese would need to cut up three or four cows for. the dinuer. To which their hosts answered that they would be sure to have the cows, but how would the savages receive them if they should return the visit ?
3
This was too importent a question to be an- swered at random, so another conference was called, which threatened to continue most of the night. Finally, upon the Japanese pressing them for an answer, they very reluctantly replied, that while it would please them very much to have the Japanese visit their village, they did not know how they would be able to feed three or four hundred.
The next morning the officials; after presenting the chief with a cow, returned to Taipehfu ac- companied by their newly acquired friends, and arrived here on the 8th.
Upon reaching the Government house they were taken soon after to meet the Governor.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
At the last meeting with the Governor General he asked them fo inform their people that the Japanese wished to be friendly with them, and that some of the boys of the tribe should come to Tai- pehfu and be educated by him. That he hoped they would have perfect confidence with the Japanese, for without it there would he constant trouble, and continuing he said, “We will not deceive you; when we make a promise we will keep it." To which the savage answered, “Yes we will be good friends; we like you to do what you promise us. The Chinese always broke their promises. We do what we say we will; if I say I will kill you, I will not break my word, I will kill you."
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General and there danced and sang their native Society to resume the looting in September, and songs, after which the Japanese military band the missionaries at the various stations were of fifty members was called together and played informed of what was going to place place, and for their special benefit. The music frightened they were warned to leave for Hongkong and them at first, but later seemed to please them, Macao. There was very justification for specially the bass drum, which they were probably | believing that the renewal of the disturbances comparing with their own war drums.
would eventually result in an attack on the missions, as in them were stored large quantities of rice sufficient to ward off the famine until the following spring. About three weeks age the missionaries in the district and their families left for Hongkong and Macao and soon afterwards the trouble broke out afresh. There was very little rice to be had and what there was was very expensive; the natives grew more desperate for want of food; the red flag of rebellion was hoisted near Moilim; houses were looted; native Christians fled to a place of safety among the hills; messengers carrying letters of warning to other missionaries were sent away; and the place was practically deserted. About ten days ago one of the stations at Moilim, on the bank of the upper part of the Swatow river, was looted; and rice carried away, but fortunately no one was in- jured. Altogether six hundred rebels attacked the mission, and it is believed that the total number is 8,000. Some days before the out- rage was perpetrated a man went to the mission house at Moilim and said that the place would not be attacked if a certain sum of money were paid. Of course no money was paid; if it had been there would have been an endless proses- sion of robbers, each demanding a large amount. The messengers conveying warning to other stations met with considerable opposition at many points and they had to pay the rebels money before being allowed to proceed.
With this last chilly certificate of character the interview ended and the savages returned to the quarters provided them, where they good naturedly submit to many visitors and spend their time in trying to pursuade the stolid uni formed attendant that it is approaching their usual time for eating,
I leave to-morrow morning for Changwha and from there I will join the Japanese army for a few days fighting to the south, but will return in time to join the main expedition for the southern forts, which will probably leave here the last of the month.
The second Governor, Lieut-General Taka- shima, arrived this afternoon and will take charge of his duties at once.
Six ringleaders of a band of robbers who have not stopped at murder to secure their booty were decapitated in the city the day before yesterday.
THE POSITION AT TAINAN.
The Douglas steamer Thales arrived yester day from Tainan. Everything remained quiet there up to the time she left. General Liu was not allowing people to leave, as he was of opinion that large numbers leaving would cause a panic. Seven Chinese were beheaded on the 17th inst., five for poisoning water and two for being supposed spies of the Japanese. Japanese letters were found on their persons, also maps of the Tainanfu forts. Their heads are now stuck up on bamboos on the beach. It was reported that General Liu had taken nineteen Japanese soldiers prisoners; also that the Japanese were meeting with some repulses.
THE RISING NEAR SWATOW.
GERMAN MISSION LOOTED. The Basel Mission station at Moilim, near Swatow, has been looted, and it is feared that there will be further disturbances. The Rev. G. Reusch, who is attached to the Mission in Hongkong, has kindly furnished us with the events leading up to the rising of the natives. The principal portion of the work of the Basel mission is done in the district east of the East River, and the country around is very hilly. Signs of a rebellion were seen as long ago as last April, and the cause of it was the failure of the rice crops. A secret society, popularly known as the "Three Dots Society" or the Triad Society, and consisting of some thousands of members, made its existence manifest by creating many distur bances in various parts of the district, but the disturbances were then of a half-hearted kind, primatively organised, and were soon suppressed by soldiers who were sent from Canton and Chan Chau. There was a rice famine due to the failure of the second crop and as the prices were raised higher so the disturbances increased in seriousness. The houses of rich Chinamen who had large stores of rice were looted, but at that time none of the mission stations were at- tacked, and as the rioters were not prepared for any opposition they quickly became quiet on One or two the appearance of the soldiers. of the leaders and several rebels were beheaded, but the principal leader managed to escape. After the rebellion had been quelled there were rumours of an intention on the part of the
THE
OUTRAGE AT KOWLOON
CITY.
THE RINGLEADER FLOGGED.
The outrage on English visitors at Kowloon City on Sunday, the 15th inst., has been followed by the prompt and, it is to be hoped, effective punishment of the ringleader, who can now be seen just outside the Customs office squatting on the ground and looking as miserable as the circum. stances will allow. He is chained to the wall, a square, heavy, wooden collar is fixed round his neck, and particulars of his offence and sentence are boldly inscribed in Chinese characters on a board. Before stating what means were taken to put him in that unenviable situation it will be as well to recount the circumstances of the affray. On Sunday afternoon Captain Jackson, of the Loosok, Mr. MacDonald, Assistant Marine
Surveyor, Mrs. MacDonald. Mr. Harper, who is passing through Hongkong on his way to England, and others, seven in all, engaged a private launch and paid a visit to Kow- Toon City. They went as far as the ground whereon the Namão pirates were de capitated some time ago, and then returned to the wharf. They then found the launch in possession of a number of gamblers, who, now that they have been deprived of following their calling in gambling houses, infest launches and make themselves exceptionally obnoxious. The party drove the gamblers off the launch, but no unnecessary force was used, and a start was made for Hongkong. After the boat had got about five yards from the landing place a num ber of the gamblers hurled heavy, jagged pieces of granite at the visitors, the result being that Mrs. Macdonald's eye was seriously cut and Captain Jackson's arm was hurt. Information was given to the Hongkong Police, the Mandarin at Kowloon was communicated with, and the ringleader was arrested and identified on Monday.
And so it came to pass that on Tuesday, 17th inst, Hon. Commander W. C. H. Hastings, Acting Captain Superintendent of Police, Captain Jackson, Mr. Macdonald, Mr. Harper, Inspector Quincey, and a couple of Pressmen, who were afterwards said to be millionaire mer- chants, went to Kowloon City in order to be present at the proceedings at the yamen. The yamen
the pawnshop everybody knows the pawnshop and on arrival there we were received by a guard of honour, consist- ing of thirty soldiers, each of whom waved a huge, gandy banner. We passed up the line and into
is near
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