but afterwards, partly because of misunderstandings, and partly of instigation by Formosan[1] smugglers of firearms they again became unruly, frequently assaulting our police posts and murdering many policemen.
Eventually, however, they gave in, presenting their guns before the authorities and pledging allegiance to the Imperial Government. It was in January, 1915, that the grand five year scheme was finished.
Since then the Government has on the whole obtained satisfactory results, though not without instances of policemen or innocent people being attacked and sometimes killed.
The cause has been frequently traced to Formosan mischief-makers, sometimes to savage superstitions in regard to the spread of epidemics, and at other times the recalcitrant actions of the neighbouring tribes.
The means taken against this has been to reinforce the police patrols in place where the savages were refractory, and in the worst sections, to set up wire-entanglements charged with electricity, to keep them within bounds.
On the other hand, the government policy toward the obedient and submissive tribes has also borne good fruit. They have been converted into good farmers able to pay public taxes, and some of their sons have even graduated from professional colleges. In this respect a somewhat detailed statement will be given below.
Seizure of Firearms
The guns confiscated, from the time of the Japanese occupation of the islands to the end of 1921, total 29,464. The record year was 1914, when the northern tribes were subjugated, the number being 14,637. Next comes 1902, the year after the punitive expedition to the northern tribes was started, the amount being 7,349. The two smallest sums obtained were 53 in 1918, and 77 the following year. In 1921, 228 rifles were seized.
- ↑ In this pamphlet the preponderant inhabitants, viz. the Chinese race in Formosa, are termed "Formosans."
