893.00/3–647: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 7—2:50 a.m.]
468. Following is Taipei’s 34, March 3, 10 a.m.:
“Section 2. Formosans strongly desire status as Chinese nationals but it is believed they will resist present Government if it seeks military revenue or fails to meet popular demands for reform to be discussed from March 10. They will continue to resist in varying degree all unrepresentative authoritarian governments imposed from mainland. Major economic dislocations appear inevitable and responsible elements fear continuing instability will bring communism.
Formosans stress American responsibility through Cairo decision13 and have published intent to appeal for American help in seeking UN14 intervention pending final transfer sovereignty to China. Responsible island-wide group preparing formal petition and has so advised Consulate. One such petition received addressed to General Marshall. Possibilities of interim administration under SCAP openly discussed.
After gravest consideration Consulate concludes only practicable solution would be immediate American intervention in its own right or on behalf of UN to prevent disastrous slaughter by Government forces if loosed on capital, which was imminent possibility March 3. American prestige high and intervention profoundly desired by Formosans who believe representations at Nanking and direct intervention here justifiable for UN under present Japanese de jure sovereignty status.
Then Government might yield to opportunity to be relieved of serious and continuing military liability during present mainland difficulties. China could feel assured that interim government by UN, with China represented, would terminate in Formosa’s return to a responsible Chinese administration in which Formosans have large share. Formosans assume UN control would be predominantly American. They frequently express desire for democratic political [Page 434] training and desire ultimate government of Formosa by Formosans representing the island in Central Government. Civil war on Formosa is most probable alternative.”
- The Communiqué of the Conference of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, and British Prime Minister Winston S. Churchill as issued on December 1, 1943, announcing their intention to restore Formosa to the Republic of China; for text, see Foreign Relations, The Conferences at Cairo and Tehran, 1943, p. 448, or Department of State Bulletin, December 4, 1943, p. 393.↩
- United Nations.↩