It is estimated, he said, that there are available in Taiwan sources of energy sufficient for 2,700,000 k.w. of hydro-electric power. Of this only 18 per cent, has been developed at present, so the room for development in this important factor is as much as 85 per cent. In consequence there is much inducement for the establishment of chemical light metal and other industries to use the electric power that is now lying idle in the island. 1 "The Admiral remarked that since he went to Taiwan four years ago there have been established twelve large industrial companies, the total capitalization amounting to Y.148,000,- 000. These companies include five for the manufacture of light metals; two electric development companies and three or four for the manufacture of chemicals.
One drawback, he admitted, is the scarcity of certain raw materials, though there is plenty of natural gas, lime and industrial salt. Ores and other materials are imported from the Philippines, Burma, Indo-China, and the Netherlands East Indies: Bauxite, for example, is brought from the latter for the aluminium industry, the electric power for which is supplied by the Lake Jitsugetsudan hydro-electric power plant.
The governor-general stressed that a very important part of his administration is what he termed the "assimilation policy". The objective of this is to bring the Taiwanese, who are of Chinese ancestry, to the same level of loyally to the Throne as the Yamato race—that is, the people of Japan proper. The Japan-China conflict, he said, has been very helpful mal Need an, he pointed out, is geographically in the Japanese line of islands, and being so close to the home country is of extreme importance to the Empire, in national defence, industry and economics generally.
Japan's colonial policy, the Admiral proceeded, was established by the Emperor Meiji, namely that there should be assimilation of all within the Empire into one unity. Accordingly, there should be no distinction between the Yamato people and the Taiwanese The Taiwanese were for a long period connected with China, whic! was their own civilization, and no doubt the hearts of many of them turned to China, so it is quite natural that they should have respect for that country, he said Now, however, as a result of the Japan-China conflict, the Taiwanese have discovered that China is not strong enough to fight Japan successfully, and whereas Taiwan, as part of the Japanese Empire, exists in peace and safety, conditions are very different in China, the governor-general pointed out.
Many sons of Taiwan have taken part in the warfare in China, with he Japanese forces. Some have been employed with the navy, usually as interpreters, and they have been very use! pecially in the blockade operations along the China coast, particularly in the southern waters.
in consequence, the governor-general continued, the mind of the people of Taiwan has been changed from a practical point of view, and ibis is leading them in a more spirit tual sense to be loyal subjects of Japan.
Admiral Kobayashi thought it will be quite some time ^e the Taiwanese will be able to understand and appreciate Shinto, the foundation of Japanese culture. They have had no real philosophy, nor true religion, for so long. They have been in the habit of praying to the idols of this or that old temple merely for hap-ess or good luck. Senshu Bud-diiism seems to be becoming most popular among the Taiwanese
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.