3-082-614 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The War in Eastern Asia: entrance to Takao, Formosa, 1895. From a sketch by Mr. E. J. Rosevere, H.M.S. "Mercury." 'British Consulate. H.M.S. Mercury. Entrance to Lagoon. Signal station. Fort. Takao, a port in Formosa, has been jealously guarded against Japanese attack by large numbers of Cantonese soldiers, often called "Black Flags" from the banners they carry. A vessel bearing the British flag, but manned and captained by Chinese, arrived at Takao about the middle of February, with the treasure for the wages of the soldiers. The Cantonese boarded her and seized the dollars, refusing to produce the bill of lading or pay the freight. A good deal of disorder followed, but the arrival of H.M.S. Mercury seems to have had a quieting effect upon the populace...As to prospects of peace, it seems that many of the conditions have received assent from the Chinese officials, and that there is an earnest desire on the part of the more sagacious Japanese statesmen to terminate the warfare, which has incurred an enormous expenditure already, and must be still a heavy tax on the nation, even if it ended immediately'. From "Illustrated London News", 1895.