894A.00/9–849
The Consul General at Taipei (Macdonald) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 19.]
No. 57
Sir: I have the honor to report that Hwang Taiam Leong, President of the Entai Trading Corporation, who is a very wealthy Formosan merchant, Mr. C. F. Chien, Chairman of the Taiwan Tea Association, Mr. Hsu Pin Tien, also known as Ko Pien and Kyo Hei, who was a former member of the Japanese Diet and leader of the pro-Japanese independence movement and his son, Kyo Hakn En, who is an important local merchant and banker, invited me to lunch in order to discuss the political situation in Taiwan.
They referred to the current rumor that SCAP is coming to Formosa and asked me if I had any information regarding the date of the change in administration or other details concerning SCAP occupation. When I told them that SCAP is not coming to Formosa, they expressed considerable disappointment and expressed some doubt regarding my statements. During the course of the conversation they frequently referred to SCAP and General MacArthur, making such statements as: “Certainly General MacArthur realizes the importance of Formosa in the United States Pacific defense plans and will take over before the Communists arrive,” “SCAP cannot allow us to fall into the hands of the Communists,” and “Even the farmers are patiently waiting for American troops to arrive.” The Formosans wishful thinking regarding United States occupation is so strong that the majority of people actually believe the matter is settled and that American troops will arrive sometime between September 15 and October 10, 1949.
Mr. Hsu Pin Tien went into a lengthy academic discussion of Russia’s aim for world domination. He said that Russia had a very fluid policy and bides its time in waiting for a weak spot or a political vacuum where it can further its policies and establish a Communist regime. China has been a perfect field for Communist expansion and as the Reds take over more of China other Asiatic countries weaken and become a prey for Communist aggression. In order to save Asia from Communism it must be checked now in China. He pointed out that the United States has been successful in preventing the spread of Communism through Western Europe and can do the same thing in [Page 387] Asia. He said the Formosan people are powerless to do anything themselves to combat Communism on the Island. They are unorganized, have no defense force of their own or weapons, and are at the mercy of the Nationalist Government that has no real interest in the welfare of Formosans and tries to keep them down. Therefore, he said the people of Formosa are looking towards the United States who always champions the cause of small, defenseless nations to come to the rescue of Taiwan.
They discussed the possibility of presenting their case to the United Nations but find they are confronted with insurmountable difficulties. There is no organization representative of the majority of the people that could present a petition to the United Nations. Furthermore, the Chinese Government authorities would not allow such a petition to be transmitted to the United Nations and persons associated with a movement of that sort would be in danger of their lives. Mr. Hsu is in constant fear of imprisonment and was arrested when the Chinese took over Taiwan and spent 18 months in jail. Inasmuch as the Formosans feel they are thwarted and powerless to help themselves they hope that the United States will either step in and keep out the Communists or sponsor their case in the United Nations.
Mr. C. F. Chien, Chairman of the Taiwan Tea Association, was more outspoken in expressing his opinion about the United States and Taiwan. He claims that the United States, as a signer of the Cairo Declaration, has a definite moral-responsibility to protect Formosa against the Communists. The people of Taiwan do not want to fall into the hands of the Communists which they are bound to do if the administration of the Island is not taken away from the Nationalist Government. Mr. Chien feels strongly that the will of six million Formosans should be considered and, inasmuch as the United States as a participant in the Cairo Declaration is one of the nations that got the innocent people of Taiwan into this “mess”, it is morally bound to accept its responsibility and to protect these defenseless people from the Communists. He said they have suffered enough during the past four years under the Chinese and that every Formosan, from the richest merchant and land owner to the poorest peasant and coolie, is expecting the United States to save them from Communism. People of Taiwan, according to him, look upon the United States as a great, powerful and just nation that believes in protecting the weak and defenseless and still have confidence that they will not be deserted by the United States.
Mr. Chien’s attitude became almost belligerent and insulting. He ended his remarks by asking how the United States could have the audacity to face the world, posing as a nation professing democratic principles, believing in self determination of peoples and the rights of [Page 388] small nations, and then sit back and allow Taiwan to fall into the hands of the Communists which is contrary to the desire of the people. The views and opinions expressed at this gathering are typical of the attitude and feelings of politically conscious Formosans.
Respectfully yours,