Or sometimes a man who is in domestic difficulties, will give vent to his wrath at the expense of an innocent stranger's head.
There is also a belief amongst some that their ancestors spirits will not allow theirs to enter Paradise unless they have obtained at last one head during life.
These facts show the difficulty of suppressing this deep-rooted practice, but in the execution of a five-year plan of the governments, from 1910 to 1914, most of the savage firearms and ammunition were seized. This plan has gone a long way toward eradicating the custom and subduing the savages.
History of Pacification
The control of the aborigines seems to have been an insoluble problem for the previous conquerors of the island, defying their most persistent and strenuous efforts.
When the northern and southern parts of the island were occupied respectively by the Dutch (1624-1661) and the Spaniards (1621-1661), they tried to enlighten mainly the tribes of the plains, chiefly by means of religion and medicine.
When Koxinga took possession of Formosa, he tried a high-handed but nevertheless clement policy. The mandarin administration of the savages during the three hundred years rule of the Chin Dynasty was highly commendable, rigid and lenient measures being taken according to circumstances, roads opened up, and competent high officials appointed: yet the effect was practically nil.
At the beginning of our administration, moderation was the policy, and in March, 1896, a number of stations called Bukonsho (Savage Development Stations) were placed in important situations near savage districts, charged with the duty of investigating, developing, and controlling the people and the country, and particularly, providing work for the population.
These stations were abolished in June, 1898, and their business handed over to the Bemmushio (Local Offices for General Affairs).
In November, 1901, when the government organization was revised, Formosa was divided into
