Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, The Far East, Volume V

Lot 122, Box 54

Memorandum Prepared by the Inter-Divisional Area Committee on the Far East

PWC–300
CAC–292

[Washington,] September 27, 1944.

Formosa: Military Government: Cooperation With the Formosan Government

I. The Problem

The problem is: Is the creation of a Chinese sub-state in Formosa contemplated, and will the occupying forces be expected to cooperate with such a state, in the manner contemplated in Denmark, for example?⁷³

II. Basic Factors

While the Chinese Government is reported to be planning to make Formosa into a separate province, and would doubtless welcome a chance to incorporate it into the Republic of China immediately upon its liberation, it is not contemplated that a sub-state or any other form of Government will be established in Formosa by the Chinese prior to the termination of American military government. In this connection, it has been recommended that the planning for military government in Formosa proceed on the following assumptions:

1) “A military administration for civil affairs in Formosa will be established by the United States” (Formosa: (Taiwan) Occupation and Military Government: Composition of Forces, PWC–190a⁷⁴).

2) “This administration will continue until such time as Chinese sovereignty in Formosa is restored”. (PWC–190a)

3) “As the cooperation of the Chinese Government would be helpful for the effective functioning of this administration, Chinese participation should be sought in the planning of civil affairs in Formosa and properly qualified Chinese personnel should be entrusted with administrative and police functions under the military administration. As the time approaches for the reestablishment of Chinese sovereignty over Formosa, it would be useful for the military administration to employ an increasingly larger number of Chinese personnel both in administrative and police functions and on the civil affairs staff.” (PWC–190a)

4) “As Chinese-Formosans will naturally be acceptable to the local population, and are on the spot, they should be used as fully as possible” (Political and Policy Questions Bearing Upon Civil Affairs Planning for Formosa—PWC–195⁷⁵)

5) “Plans for the temporary reorganization of the government of Formosa by the occupation authorities should be designed to secure the most effective administration. Any such temporary reorganization should be consistent with the accepted concept of international law that the existing basic legal structure continues during the period of military occupation. In planning such temporary reorganization official Chinese plans for permanent governmental reorganization should be given favorable consideration only to the extent that they meet the need of the occupying authorities, are in accordance with international law and consistent with basic American principles.” (PWC–195)

6) “After the return of Formosa to full Chinese sovereignty, it will be administered by officials appointed by the Chinese Government. (Formosa (Taiwan): Territorial Problems: Disposition—PWC–185)⁷⁶

It should be noted that these recommendations for the administration of civil affairs in Formosa differ fundamentally from the plans for civil affairs in Denmark, as set forth in the directives approved by the Combined Civil Affairs Committee. In the case of Formosa, military government is to be established and its administration continued until Formosa is turned over to China, at which time an entirely new Formosan government will be established by the Chinese authorities. In the case of Denmark, the basic aim of military government will be to facilitate the re-establishment of a Danish government by the constitutional action of the King, at the earliest possible moment.

It is further assumed for Denmark that the existing administrative services and local authorities “may be regarded generally as well disposed towards the cause of the United Nations and suitable to cooperate with Allied military authorities” (Directive on Denmark, CCAC–77/1). This assumption would not be valid for Formosa for the reason that these services and the local authorities will have been in large part Japanese and not Chinese officials. Finally, in view of the various circumstances mentioned above, it is likely that military government in Formosa will be much longer than that in Denmark.

III. Departmental View

1. The creation of a Chinese sub-state in Formosa prior to the termination of military government is not contemplated.

Prepared and reviewed by the Inter-Divisional Area Committee on the Far East.

TS:	GHBlakeslee	JA:	ERDickover
	HBorton (drafting officer)		FSWilliams
FE:	EHDooman	ISO:	CEagleton
		FMA:	OCLockhart
		LA:	WBKahn

73. Question contained in letter dated August 16 from Maj. Gen. Hilldring and Capt. L. S. Sabin, representing War and Navy Departments, to Mr. Dunn, not printed.
74. June 28, p. 1269.
75. May 15, not printed, but see PWC–184a, June 28, p. 1266.
76. April 20, not printed, but see PWC–184a, June 28, p. 1266.