894A.00/12–446
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 7, 1947.]
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a copy and an ozalid of Taipei’s despatch no. 25 to the Embassy94 on the first convocation of the Taiwan People’s Political Council. The Embassy considers this despatch to be far more important than its stated subject would at first indicate. [Page 590] It contains a comprehensive digest of published accounts of the first sessions of the Council, which in themselves constitute a good criterion of public attitudes toward the present regime and conditions in Taiwan. In addition, interpretive comment on the published material contained in the despatch reflects the careful attention which is being devoted by the Consulate at Taipei to a complex and difficult political situation.
Although there has been widespread criticism of the ineptitude of the present regime in Taiwan, the Embassy considers it a hopeful sign for the future governances of Formosa that the Government’s representatives were met in the People’s Political Council with “outspoken and forceful criticism from an articulate and intelligent body of local representatives, spokesmen for a public whose general level of education and information is considerably higher than the average for the mainland from which the government officials come. Attempts to limit debate, questioning and criticism and to slur over important but embarrassing problems met with spirited opposition.”
On the other hand, however, the despatch points out that there was implicit throughout the Council sessions the present administration’s concept of “a Government above the people and not answerable to, nor dependent upon them”.
The parallel to similar conditions in China at a time when an effort is being made to institute constitutional government is obvious. In Formosa, however, the overall problems are confined to a smaller area where the levels of government efficiency, education and literacy have been higher for a longer period, and as a result the Chinese administration is faced with a challenge which it must meet without reverting to the antedated methods of the mainland. The ability of the Chinese to meet this challenge for the time being must remain a moot question.
Respectfully yours,
Minister-Counselor of Embassy
- Not printed.↩