FORMOSA.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 10010, 7 June 1895, Page 4

FORMOSA.

In view of the torn affairs In Formosa have taken, and the possibility of Japan requiring to resort to force to establish her supremacy there, some account) of the treaty ports 'will be read with interest. The ports opened by treaty to foreign commerce upon the coast of the'island of Formosa are four in number — Talvanfa (Amping), Takao, Tamsui, and Keelung. Taivanfn, the population of which is estimated at 120,000, la the capital of the Island, and the residenoe of the Taotal, or Governor - General. Situated, like Takao, upon the western coast, 20 miles farther to the north, It cotnmunioates direotly with the sea, from which it is four miles distant, thongh the nominal port is the batbor of Amping. A wall 14 -feet thick, and about 25 feet high, snrronnds the Chinese part of the town ; and the port, which, like that of Tamsui, is not very easy of access during the south-west monsoon, is principally uaed during, the north-east monsoon-,- from - to April. Owing to the bar at the month of the harbor, the passengers are landed on rafts made of bamboo, so constructed that the passengers are seated at the stern end with their luggage, the rafts being taken to shore by, a , sailor, with a soil and a long oar. Talvanfu belongs to tbe province of Fa-Klen, of - which Futcheou is tbe capital,. and It takea two hours to walk round' the walls. The principal trade is filigree work, fans made of palm leaves and ornamented with flowers and other quaint designs, and caskets, which are noted for their aolidlty. Many European and American articles are to be seen in the shops, the latter belog brought back by the ships which carry sugar to Canada. There Is a Chinese garrison consisting of troops who, as a rule, have neither uniforms nor rifles, and who do their drill to the sound of a trumpet. The small port of Takao, to the sonth of Talvanfu, la not accessible for large Teasels, the harbor being even less safe than that of the latter - place, and the entrance Is very dangerous. A steamer " plies between the capital and Takao, conveying passengers and the malls, and other steamers wither draft of not more than 13 feet come into the harbor. Pawing over the port of Keelung. the fourth of these treaty ports, is the Chinese town of Tamsui, the European dwellings of which are some little distance up the river at Tvatatul, upon the slopes of some volcanic mountains, on which are several geysers. Tamsui Is about 22 tnlles from Keelung, with a population of 30,000. By land It Is nearly a week's journey south ot Taivanfu, bub by sea It Is not more than 180 miles, and with a favorable wind the voyage does not occupy more than 24 honrs. Tea and. rice, which are grown at Tavatatul and Banka, up the river, are the principal articles of commerce, but a con" siderable trade is done in sugar, camphor, and sulphur. There are several petrolenm Bprings, but they are not worked at present. Germany has a oonsul at Talvanfu, who looks after the French and Danish interests, as well as those of German subjects, but tho United States and England have their own consnlar agents, Tbe Kuroslwo. or black current, which comes from the Phillipine Islands, conveys to the eastern coast of Formosa the heat which causes tropical plants to grow so luxuriously, tho speed of this current being estimated at two knots an hour, The steam which emanates from It becomes condensed upon the bills, and feeds the numerous streams which make Formosa so fertile.