740.00119 PW/4–646: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China ( Smyth ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:20 p.m.]
628. Repatriation of Japanese from Formosa (see Embassy’s 530, March 20 and related). For Department’s information there is given below substance of message sent April 2 by China Theater Headquarters to Commanding Officer Formosan Repatriation Group:
The Gimo,16 T. V. Soong,17 Governor Chen Yi (of Formosa) and officers of China Theater Headquarters have discussed at length question [Page 892] of retention of Japanese technicians and their dependents in Formosa. As result these discussions it has been agreed that Governor Formosa may temporarily retain a maximum of 28,000 persons, including 5600 Jap civilian technicians and about 22,400 dependents thereof. Retention of dependents not mandatory by Chinese Government but optional on part of Jap technicians concerned. Chinese Government will assume responsibility for repatriation of these technicians and dependents, including processing and water shipment from Chinese resources. No military army or navy personnel will be retained. Repatriation will be effected as rapidly as Jap technicians can be replaced by Chinese technicians or technicians of Allied nations. Under any circumstances this repatriation will be completed prior to January 1, 1947. All American army personnel will be withdrawn from Formosa before April 30, 1946, however US will complete repatriation of all but the 28,000 persons to be retained by April 15. Taking into consideration the retention of 18,000 at Kirun,18 1700 at Karenko, and 8300 at Takao, the following numbers remain to be repatriated from ports mentioned as of March 30: Kirun 6500; Karenko 20,000; Takao 21,500. All repatriates due to reach their port of embarkation areas by April 5. End message.
Info copies of above message have been sent by Headquarters to Gimo, American Embassy, Gen. Gillem,19 and SCAP.20
- Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, President of the National Government of the Republic of China.↩
- President of the Chinese Executive Yuan.↩
- Also known as Keelung.↩
- Lt. Gen. Alvan C. Gillem, Jr., representing General Marshall during his absence in the United States.↩
- Supreme Commander, Allied Powers in Japan, General of the Army, Douglas MacArthur.↩