Sketches from Formosa.

VI
TROUBLE FROM JAPAN IN 1874
IN 1872, an open boat was cast upon the southern coast
of Formosa, and its Japanese subjects from the Miyako
Islands cruelly murdered by the Baw-tan savages. On a
claim for compensation being presented to the Chinese
Government, the reply was made that those savages on
the east coast of Formosa were not subjects of the Empire,
whereupon Japan took the matter into her own hands.
A large military expedition was landed at Long-kiau, and
very soon that southern part of Formosa became a base
of operations for proceeding further inland. Of course
this action caused any amount of dissatisfaction at
Peking. Strong representations were made against what
was called " invading the territory of a friendly Power/'
Control over the whole island was now insisted upon, and
it was claimed that China alone had the right of dealing
with these aboriginal tribes. To all this, however, the
Japanese gave very little heed. Military law was proclaimed
over the greater part of South Cape, the position
of the new-comers became more and more strengthened,
and there was not the slightest appearance of withdrawal,
even after the savages had been severely punished.
As diplomatic resources had failed to bring about a
settlement, the Chinese at length bestirred themselves to
prepare for the worst. An Imperial Commissioner named
Sim Po-seng came from Peking to take charge of the
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