180 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



Chinese seas. In truth, it would be the wiser policy if the European powers were to leave their 

 least important colonies undefended, as in such condition they would not in time of war be 

 otherwise molested than by occasional visits of the enemy for refreshments and supplies, which 

 would in most cases be paid for. As fortified places, their possession would be seized upon 

 when practicable as were the strongholds of Europe in former wars by contending forces. The 

 troops of either one or the other of the belligerents forcibly occupying and holding them as 

 garrisons, regardless of the interests or safety of the proper residents. But in later times the 

 inhabitants of many of those cities, profiting by experience, have, wherever they have had the 

 power, thrown down their defences, and thus rendered them untenable for military purposes. 

 And so it would be the policy of England and France to demolish the defences of their minor 

 colonies, withdraw the garrisons and leave the inhabitants dependent on their own resources; 

 and free, if they should desire it, to secure by negotiation their neutrality in time of hostilities. 



The constantly ameliorating changes which have transpired in latter times in the laws and 

 customs of war, will no longer justify those measures of coercion and cruelty which were prac- 

 tised in former days. The world will never again countenance rapine and murder ; the wanton 

 destruction of edifices of religion and learning, of works of art, and defenceless private pro- 

 perty ; wars will hereafter be conducted in a manner more honorable and magnanimous ; and that 

 nation will deservedly receive the execrations of all good men, who shall henceforth allow of the 

 perpetration of those acts of barbarity which have been of common occurrence even in recent 

 times. 



The geographical position of Formosa renders it eminently suited as an entrepot for American 

 trade, from which communications might be established with China, Japan, Lew Chew, Cochin 

 China, Cambodia, Siam, the Philippines, and all the islands situated in the adjacent seas ; and 

 it recommends itself more strongly from the fact of its capability of furnishing abundant sup- 

 plies of coal, which, in the present and increasing use of steam for purposes of commerce, will 

 prove of vast importance to the eastern trade. 



Up to the present time the greater part of the vast quantities of coal consumed by the 

 numerous war and commercial steamers which navigate the waters of the east is brought from 

 England, at enormous cost of freight, the mines of Labuan supplying only an insignificant 

 portion of that which is required. 



Another recommendation may be found in the advantages of its naval and military position, 

 situated as it is directly in front of many of the principal commercial ports of China. It covers, 

 and might be made with a sufficient naval force to command, not only those ports, but the 

 northeastern entrance of the China seas, precisely as Cuba, in the hands of a powerful maritime 

 nation, might command the American coast south of Cape Florida and the entrance to the Gulf 

 of Mexico ; and from the extent and fertility of soil of Formosa, it might be made capable of 

 furnishing, in addition to its home consumption, large quantities of agricultural and other 

 products for exportation. 



The establishment of a commercial entrepot, unshackled by the restrictions of duties upon 

 foreign or domestic commerce beyond some trifling municipal impost, would draw to its ports 

 vessels of all nations, and it would not be long before it would rival the great commercial marts 

 of Hong Kong and Singapore. 



Now, it is evident that whatever may benefit the commerce of the United States will also 

 contribute to the advantage of other commercial nations, and the extension of American terri- 

 tory cannot but result advantageously to other powers, as offering new markets for the disposal 



