November 13, 1895,]
THE JAPANESE IN SOUTH FORMOSA.”
(FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT WITH THE JAPANESE ARMY.)
TAMANFU, 4th November. Since the last communication from this place, announcing the final occupation of Tainanfoo, things have been progressing steadily towards peace and quietude, a condition contrasting most pleasantly with the state of affairs that went before.
The naval party originally landed at Anping, after remaining two or three days on shore here, re-embarked, leaving all to the military.
Eren the once crowded compounds, godowns, and bands are being gradually cleared as the provisions and other supplies are carried off by innumerable coolies (Japanese and Chinese). aided by pack-horses. The people are coming back in great numbers, and it is remarkable to see how quickly they have gained confidence in those they but a fow days ago so dreaded and, if their professions are to be taken as true indication of their feelings, so heartily hated Each day finds some new shop being opened and immediately crowded by eager Japanese buyers, who readily pay up even the fearfully extortionate prices the vendors demand.
Two events have taken place in the period
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
less injured. We were glad, however, to hear that when the gallant Chamberlain left his wound was progressing very favourably.
On the 26th October, the Governor Kaba- yams arrived in the Ikiyama-maru from Tai- peh.
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attendance, delegating their legislative functions to the so-called “Executive Committee" of the House. Not having actually voted for and agreed to what might be enacted-Chinese like it was hoped more facilities for evasion would be afforded than if it could be affirmed that the objectors had themselves in person authorised
the enactions.
The club house, or to be more respectful, the late Legislative Chambers, consists of three long rooms or court yards with lateral portions roofed over, all parallel to each other.
The architecture is, of course, strictly Chi- nese, but as no expense was spared by the guild, it is the best of its kind to be seen in the locality. The carvings are most elaborate both in stone and woodwork, and, it need scarcely be added, that the painting and general decorations have been done in the gandiest and most tasteful manner the Chinese idoas could suggest! The middle chamber was that chosen as the grand reception and refreshment compartment, while those to right and left of it were devoted to displays of Chinese and Japanese histrionic art respectively. Although no pains nor money had been spared to obtain the very best and most talented theatrical troupe available in the locality, of course to tastes, both Japanese and foreign, there did not seem much to attract one in the celestial show. It was really pleasant, however, to see H.E. the Governor patiently sitting for more than an hour and listening to the eternal tom-toming and stage frolics as though he really enjoyed it! Nor were their Excel- lencies the various Generals a bit behind the Governok in this heroic display of courtesy and consideration. Judging frem their counte- nances one might have thought that the play was one of the most absorbing interest to them all.
or other honours greeted his advent. H.E. was By his Excellency's special request no salutes accompanied by a large staff of officers and ad. ministrators, including the Governor or “ Pre. fect," Ferusho, the Chief Commissioner of Cns- toms Mr. Namura, and several other officials, civil and military. After a short stay at the house lately occupied by the last Chinese Com- missioner, H.E. proceeded to the city and took up his, abode in the house that for so many years was the British Consulate in Tainanfu. All the available houses in Anping have been rented for the use of the various civil and military officials, thus: the Commissioner's house accommo- dates Mr. Saigo, the sub-Prefect, and his two in- fatigable assistants, Messrs. Matsumoto and Ki- mura, the Commissioner of Customs and his staff. as well as others, rather more numerous than one would have expected the capacities of the house to stand. The late German Consulate, Messrs. Tait and Co.'s old house, and the quarters lately used by the harbour master have been taken up by the commissariat department, and all seem full of inmates. The military Commander-in-Chief, now under notice which call for mention: one
General Takoshima, occupies a very spacious is the arrival of I.E. Admiral Count
and elegantly built house in the city belonging Kabayam, Governor-General of Formosa, and
to a wealthy merchant, Pok-sia, who was the other the som whit sudden death of H.I.K.
chairman or president of General Liu's Parlia- Prins Katachira Kawa, who succumbed to the
ment " and Executive Council. He took a malignant malarial fever prevalent on the
very prominent part in instigating and carry. alluvial plains of Formosa. It is said that ha
was by no means a strong man; indeeding out much done in General Lin's name. This man was most active in starting schemes som report that pulmonary consumption for raising money and in other ways carrying had already undermined his constitution
on the Government, so it is not unlikely that and strength, but, be that as it may, the
the Japanese will be inclined to feel less con- ultimate cause of death was a severe attack of
sideration for him than for the other merchants the local disease which he caught a day or two
who, though they complied with Liu's and bfore entering Tainanfn. It appears that it
Pok-sia's demands, did so under very pressing is not in accordance with Japanese etiquette compulsion. The other Generals occupy yamens, to announce the death of a royal Prince until
or temples, while the soldiers, simply for want We were told that these amateurs performed the body has reached Tokyo, so no cere mony
of free houses, are compelled to take up their most creditably, and even as a foreigner quite or other display took place when the rom ains were sent off for shipment on board the ared quarters in the various Chinese houses around. ignorant of their language, it must be owned, We hear that the Japanese regret this neces- so good was the acting and gestures that a con- troopship "Saikio-maru," for transport tosity, as of course it prevents many of the people siderable amount of intelligent interest and Japan. His death took place on the 26th coming back as freely as they otherwise would, amusement was derived from their efforts. One Ostɔbar. about two days before We were
but although the conquerors have made great superiority they seemed to show over allowed to hear of it. The removal was effected
their Chinese colleagues was the total absence on the 30th October. The body was enclosed great efforts to rent places for barracks, and
so avoid disturbing the civil population, this of noise either from orchestra or stage. Judg. in an enormous coffin roofed house-fashion."
has not been found feasible so far. I mentioning from what we saw one cannot feel quite as is the custom on the continent of Europe. this fact to show the anxiety felt by the sure that the British Lord Chamberlain, or This was carried to Anping by the troupe of Japanese lest anything should be done calculated even the London County Council, would have wrestlers who had, by special Imperial per-
to prolong for one monent the state of discom- seen their way to authorise the production as mission, accompanied the Guards' Division,
fort and trouble which must be always insepar in Tainanfu, but for all that, so prone is even acting as servants and carriers for the officers able from a state of war or its immediate the most rigidly severe nature to wink at and of that regiment. They seem to be excellently
even enjoy the piquante," when met out- well set up and developed men, without any of that superabundant fat which their confrères in
side home observation and criticism, that we must,; in. truth, admit
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Japin seem to think essential to a proper fighting state, We hear that the whole boly of professional wrestlers volunteered to join the army and render what aid they could, but only a selected band of twenty representatives were eventually accepted. Great numbers of
high officers necompanied the remains to the Band, but all seemel, at least as far as verba and other expressions were concerned, to be determined to keep up the delusion that H.I.H. was not dead, but only going to Japan." and, it is said, did not appreciate as well as they no doubt would under other circumstances the
compliment implied by the half-masted British and Netherlands flags. As soon as the body was safely deposited on board the Saikio-maru, that vessel, convoyed by I.M.S. Yoshino, left for Japan, the Admiral going in his flagship. Chamberlain Count Yushii, I.N., also availed himself of this opportunity to return to his Imperial master and deliver the report of mili- tary proceedings he had been specially sent by the Emperor to obtain. This officer, a com- mander in the Imperial navy, had rather a narrow escape from very grave disaster. appears he was riding just behind his escort, when the horse of the latter putting his foot on one of the mined pitfalls which Liu Yung-fu had liberally distributed over the country from Khaghi to Tainanfu, exploded the mine, seriously injuring, if not killing the horse, and severely burning its side. Count Yashii got burnt on the back of his head and his horse was also more or
It
consequences.
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It is a very funny sight on going through the city to see even the common people angrily demanding dollars for things that a few cents ought to buy, and the soldiers, not only quietly submitting to the extortion, but striving to soothe the apparently irate sellers This trait at once demonstrates the weakness of the slightest firmness and they cringe; exhibit a Chinese character. Let anyone show but the
trace of forbearance or leniency and at once they assume weakness and even a sense of in- feriority on the part of those thus acting and begin to bully and bluster accordingly!
On the 3rd of November, being the birthday of H.I.J. Majesty, H.E. the Governor-General issued invitations to a "reception" for that day
Their various suites, who, of course, had to remain by their chiefs, were not as stoical under their sufferings, and we fancy would have much preferred to have been able to visit the chamber on the left, where a troop of Japanese amateurs were playing to the intense amusement and appreciation of their countrymen.
We were often
tempted to join heartily in the peals of laughter evoked from the closely packed an- dience of generals, colonels, subalterns, and soldiers generally who seemed thoroughly to appreciate the goodnatured fun and witticisms of their genial and clever compatriots on the
boards.
In the central or "presence chamber" the band of the Imperial Guards discoursed delightful music. Now foreign, now Japanese, and at times Chinese airs were played with the skill and taste for which this band is famed. Consisting of forty-two performers when at full strength, on this occasion the numbers were reduced to twenty-eight, as the others command and direction of Captain Yashimoto, were all in hospital. This band is under the
who is a most enthusiastic musician and to whose untiring efforts is due the high standard of excellente attained by his men. It is said that Captain Yashimoto's skill as an original composer is great and well known, and that he adapts both his own native musie and Chinese airs with great facility into Western notation. If we may judge from the perfor mances the other day of even a crippled band, As most members of the said "Parliament " the capacities of the full orchestra for produc- were serving more or less under compulsioning the grandest music and effects must quite and a chronic fear of being called on at any equal anything of the sort to be met with time to pass resolutions and financial enactments, elsewhere. the brunt of which would fall as heavily on the legislators as on others, the general run of members were in reality glad to be relieved of
The Canton Guild club house was selected as the best building for the celebration. A some- what peculiar and historical interest attaches itself to this place, as it was, during the existence of the "Republic," the Chamber of Deputies," "Parliament," as Liu was wont to term the assembly. Here, top, thrice a week assem- bled the "Executive Council chosen from the whole House, and very soon the former usurped all the functions and duties of the latter.
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All down the sides of the main chamber were aid tables, groaning under the weight of eat- lbles and beverages of different kinds.
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