1 Tnotice telegram in the Hongkong Naily Press from Takow, South Formosa, dated Bist March, in which is stated that wholesale arrests of foreign compradores in the camphor districts of Formosa are being made, ete., etc. While unfamiliar with the details:-I have been informed that only such Chinese as
gulations were arrested. A few fines of totoly disregarded the existing camphor re-explanation are necessary. In late November of last year, the Japanese authorities framed regulations, calling on all persons who had camphor stills or rights to cut trees to send in an account of same, together with such documents as had been issued by the Chinese government proving their ownership or authority to work same. Foreign merchants were deeply interested in the camphor business and had a deal of money invested. The two large firms in the north both had the necessary papers clear and indisputable, but for some Fran reason unknown to the writer, the firms in the south, were not so provided, although undoubtedly agreements of some kind for the up-country working of the industry had been entered into with the Chinese officials. Now came the difficulty. It would be an injustice to those foreign firms who, after years of Jabour, had built up the industry '4nd whose money was invested in the trade, to be turned out of the field without compensation, and it would be equally an in-Justice to allow new firms to enter into the trade inasmuch as Japanese themselves were barred. It was to deal with both impartially that the new lations were issued. But cases arose, particularly in the south, that foreigners who previously having no connection whatsoever with the camphor industry, took advantage of the state of affairs and commenced the trade without permission. ecttestions were then issued that after three months any persons engaged in the camphor industry, not holding the necessary papers issued' by the Chinese government, must cease such employment. The three months expired in h—I have not the exact date. The Chinese compradores mentioned in the above telegram did not see fit to comply and the result is that several arrests have been made. It is specially unfortunate that the two or three large and reliable firms of 'Anping should be subject to such hardship, but without proof of their former camphor rights, it is impossible to separate them from the few irresponsible parties' who woughs to enter the trade after the island had been ceded to Japan.
Tokio, 12th April.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.