Tokyo, Oct. 28.
According, to a report reaching the War Office from Formosa, it is Tearned that some 1,500 aborigi inhabiting the district of Kinsha, Taichus Prefecture, made a heavy onslaught last night on the various police stations and completely. destroyed them. Besides reconnoitring the district the military authorities stationed there have dispatched a company of soldi-cers to the district by request of the Provincial Governor. The cause of the present uprising of the aborigines is, not yet confirmed, "The aborigines inhabiting the Kinsha istrict consist of the force Tyal and Fragmentary reports from Formosa, official and unofficial, indicate that about 140 Japanese police and civilians have lost their lives in the uprising- of savage tribesmen in Taichu Province, However, owing to the disruption of telephonic communication, details are searce and definite confirmation is still lacking.
Units of mountain artillery and telegraph corps of the local garrison have been despatched to assist the infantry and police to regain control of the situation. Aircraft fare ce-operating in an endeavour to) ascertain the true position of] affairs.
'The relief force is reported to have clashed with a party of tribesmen yesterday afternoon, Some anxiety is felt with regard to the possibility of damage being' done to the large sugar refining: plant belonging to the Formosan Sugar Company at Hori, near the scene of the rising, if the latter spreads, but it is generally considered that steps will be taken to protect this.
So far it has not been possible to ascertain definitely the cause of the outbreak, which is the first since 1020, It is considered possible that it is due to over-strict police control in the tribal area, Another suggestion is that the tribesmen have revolted against the plan to erect fa Jarge dam at Nichi Getsutan in connection with a large scheme for. the generation 6f hydro-electric power, for which a company is at present in negotiation with Messrs. 3. P. Morgan & Company, New York, for a loan of 45,000,000 yen. This project, if carried out, would necessitate the flooding of several of territory in the area, the inhabitants of which would have to be moved elsewhere.
According to official despatches reaching Tokio from Formosa, tribesmen attacked 13 out of the 17 police posts in the disaffected area.
Only 16 of over 200 Japanese and 112 out of 400 peaceful Formosans residing in the district have so far reached safety. The fate of th remainder is uncertain though it is feared that there have been many. fatalities.
The village of Musha was re-this morning. Only persons were found alive but it is believed that a number of refugees ing in the neighbouring The body of the Ghief District Administrator was found near the District Office, and other: corpses were discovered strewn. around in the neighbourhood. The dead are known to include the Postmaster and his wife and also the wife of the headmaster of the school at Musha, The school, it will be recalled, was attacked when an athletic meeting was in progress.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.