Formosa Campaign Latest - July Update

 JAPAN CAPTURES TAI PAK - 12 June 1895 

 

Moving rapidly from their capture of Ke Lang the Japanese have moved to secure the island of Formosa in strict agreement with the Terms of the Treaty of Shiminosecki and their agreement with the Qing Empire. A column was despatched on the 10th of June to secure the capital Tai Pak. This was achieved with little bloodshed despite the resistance of a gaggle of local militia who held the main city gate house for a few hours before being chased out by a ripple of artillery fire. 

MAKE MERIT BY RESISTING THE INVADER 

Senior priests of both the Buddhist and Taoist faiths have proclaimed that 1895 is a great year for making merit. A vision of the Bodhisatva Ebok was seen in the temples of Tai Nan proclaiming that all Formosans who resist the Japanese invader can expect to earn extra merit for their brave endeavours. 

THE HERO OF TAI PAK - 12 June 1895 

Though the City of Tai Pak fell easily to the Japanese forces a cameo fought around the main gate house perhaps provided evidence of the stiffening of Formosan resistance in the weeks to come. Japanese scouts in advance of the main body of advancing troops identified thatthe City was held by Hakka militia forces in small numbers. The scouting cavalry saw an opportunity to take the main gates of the City. A lively skirmish broke out at the main city gate as an able Lieutenant boldly scaled the walls assisted by two troopers at dusk. Slipping into the gatehouse they encountered a well armed militia, led by one Lan Ming Wa. Close hand to hand fighting within the gatehouse resulted in the Lieutenants death in personal combat with Lan. The remaining Japanese scaling team escape with their lives and brought up a mountain battery to demolish the gates with a few well aimed rounds of explosive shot. After some spirited sniping by the militia and a degree of unrest the City fell to the advance elements of the Imperial Guards, but Lan Ming Wa escaped with the bulk of the militia forces. 

TAM SUI HOLDS FIRM -16 June 1895 

Local Hakka Militia leader Fan Tran-Mai paraded his troops in Tam Sui today. Adored by his many men Fan spoke boldly of the bravery of the Hakka people and the solid history of resistance of the City Walls. Recalling the failed French invasion of the 1880s Fan taunted the recent Japanese invaders and boasted that he looks forward to their attempts to take the City and the many Japanese dead that will soon bleach in the sun on the planes beyond the City. His words were applauded by the thronging Formosan crowd and also watched from an honoured guest dias by dozens of US, UK and Russian citizens of the busy trading port. 

GREAT POWERS PUSH FOR CHANGES - May 1895 

The peace treaty signed between Japan and China remains a point of contention in World politics. The Treaty of Shimonoseki concluded the Sino Japanese War by China relinquishing control of Korea and handing Formosa and the Liaodong Peninsula to Japan. Russian, French and German delegations are now negotiating directly between the Qing and Japanese Governments to amend the treaty. They are particularly concerned that the transfer of ownership of Port Arthur on the Liaodong Peninsula gives Japan an unwarranted power over the Yellow Sea. This along with their occupation of Formosa worries the Great Powers and they seek a fundamental renegotiation of the treaty. 

CONFUCIUS CORNER 

A monthly note of relevant contemplation Without a block the cannon is silent Defenders stand sad and sore But a clink of silver in the right pocket Will restore the fiery cannons to life once more 

TAM SUI BESEIGED - 20 June 1895 

Japanese forces invested the City on 20th June. Surrounding the City to the landward and with a strong fleet off the coast the Japanese fired ranging shots into the City to the reply of emplaced guns who returned fire with ferocity. On the evening of the 21st a mine was exploded against the east wall. Though there was little material effect on the strong walls the citizens knew well that the explosion heralded the coming storm and all defenders stood to their weapons. The Japanese offered generous terms of surrender to the City but at this time the Cities defenders still fly the flag of the Republic of Formosa bravely and await the future with courage and trepidation. 

FALL OF TIENG-LICK - 27 June 1895 

A large force of Japanese infantry arrived before the peaceful City of Tieng-Lick on the 26th June. The bustling City had been demilitarised by Republican forces some weeks earlier and the leading citizens of the City were keen to avoid bloodshed. The Japanese Commander General Prince Kitashirakawa Yoshihisa offered generous terms and security of all rights for the citizens of the City. The gates were opened and Japanese forces entered the City in full accordance with the terms of the Treaty of Shimonosecki. 

THE STRANGE CASE OF THE PHANTOM PRESIDENT - 27 June 1895 

Left: Tang Jinsong, Right: Another person 

A curious incident occurred as the Imperial Japanese Guard Division took possession of the City of Tieng Lick. Scouting forces screening the main body of troops reported seeing a finely dressed Qing Dignitary being escorted by a troop of horse in the vicinity of the City. Consulting their deck of cards identifying enemy VIPs the scouts believed this person to be none other than Tang Jinsong, the president of the rebel Republic. Dressed in the fine silks of a Qing Governor the identification seemed secure. But, what was he doing galloping around northern Formosa accompanied by a troop of heavy horsemen? With the peaceful surrender of the City a search was mounted by Japanese cavalry forces to find the elusive President. Within a few hours and after a brief cavalry scuffle the character was apprehended. Sure enough he looked like Tang Jinsong and his body guard fought hard to protect him, but surely he could not be the President. The dishevelled Phantom President made a sad sight when paraded before General Prince Kitashirakawa Yoshihisa in chains. Tang Jinsong is an honoured and educated ex-Qing official able to speak multiple languages, but this fellow seemed only able to string a few simple sentences together in Han Chinese. He cowered obsequiously and seemed most interested in the Japanese coolies shoulder harnesses. Who is this man?.