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Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Taiwan's Own Holocaust Revisionists

One reason that 2-28 won't go away is because right-wing elements in the Chinese community that refuse to concede that the KMT government looted the island, tanked the economy, let famine and tropical diseases reappear, and then killed the Taiwanese when they naturally violently objected to this treatment. Yesterday the Taipei Times reported on group of right-wing nutcases who still insist that it was Japan that screwed things up:

A recent official report concluded that Chiang should bear responsibility for the incident, and on Monday President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) called Chiang the "true killer" in the violence.

But Academia Sinica fellows Chu Hung-yuan (朱浤源) and Huang Chang-chien (黃彰健) and four other academics called a press conference yesterday to challenge this portrayal of Chiang.

"The incident took place when Taiwan had just been handed over by Japan to China. As Japan was reluctant to give Taiwan over to China, it used economic measures to cause inflation and food shortages before it left," Chu said.

Chu said that Taiwan's economic situation -- which created resentment against the government from China -- was the result of Japan's premeditated economic attack on Taiwan.

The academics also criticized former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) for saying that "government suppression was the main cause of the 228 Incident."

"What Ma said was contrary to the facts. The government had no choice but to send in the army to suppress the violence launched by the people," Huang said.

Yes, that's right. There are academics out there who argue that the KMT was the victim. Meanwhile former intellectual and current mainlander crackpot Li Ao said 800 people died because that's what Chen Yi, the corrupt and brutal governor of the island, had said in a telegram to Chiang Kai-shek:

In other developments, Independent Legislator Li Ao (李敖) told a press conference yesterday that the "sadness of the 228 Incident was created by politicians."

"The Democratic Progressive Party has been saying that tens of thousands of people died in the incident. Only about 800 people died at that time," he said.

He said the executive administrator of Taiwan at the time, Chen Yi (陳儀), had sent a confidential telegram to Chiang to say that the death toll in the incident was about 800.

These people are a sickness. Eyewitness accounts of the 2-28 massacre by US consul George Kerr and Allan Shackleton are online. Kerr's work is particularly powerful, for it discusses in full, knowledgeable, and minute measure the corruption, incompetence, and venality of the incoming party of thieves and looters:

By late 1946 an orderly import and export trade was no longer possible, the entire island economy lay at the mercy of newcomers who controlled the ports and were able to interpose regulations profoundly affecting the use of relief and rehabilitation supplies.

But where regulation was most needed, there was none; the Quarantine Services were neglected and the offices stripped of medical supplies and equipment. As the entire economy sickened, there was a general breakdown of the health and welfare services, most dramatically demonstrated when cholera and bubonic plague entered Formosa in epidemic proportions.
and more..........
In midyear 1946, four cases of bubonic plague were discovered at Tamsui and in the Hsinchu district. The victims had come in aboard Chinese junks and had not been quarantined.

The Formosan press broke into an uproar of protest; there had been no bubonic plague among the civil population for nearly thirty years. Here indeed was a threat, directly traceable to the collapse of the quarantine system so strictly enforced under Japanese administration. Houses which had sheltered the plague victims were burned to the ground. Some feeble steps were taken to reactivate quarantine services at the ports, but in these no one had confidence.

As summer approached cholera reappeared in Formosa. Within a few days it had spread beyond control in the southwest. It had not been known in epidemic proportions since 1919. The Director of Public Health made no move to recognize the threat, but UNRRA doctors and nurses, aided by CNRRA personnel, Formosan doctors and public health employees, promptly moved to Tainan and Kaohsiung, cut through extraordinary official red tape (deliberately spun out to embarrass them) and promptly reduced the death rate from 80 per cent to 29 per cent of all known cholera cases. After a long summer fight cool autumn weather brought relief, but by November 1 the UNRRA team had recorded 2690 cases, with 1460 dead.
2-28 commemorates and symbolizes not merely the thousands who were killed, but the Taiwanese experience of re-colonization, exploitation, and expropriation.

21 comments:

  1. This report from (biased) "academics" is sad indeed, but did you happen to notice yesterday's China Post (Engl.) FP headline? It read "The 2-28 Incident [...] in which hundreds of mainlanders were also killed by disgruntled locals...etc"? Now, if only 800 people died, as Li Ao claims, it would mean a large percentage of the victims of the White Terror were KMT 'mainlanders'. How covenient, eh?

    The invading fascist army was victimized too! Hooray for sophism! But denials of guilt and refusals to live up to the past--even now, 60 yrs. later--will only lead to more trouble in the future.

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  2. According to an article at Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/228_Incident), Chen Yi expanded on the Japanese monopolies and confiscated factories, mines and homes; commodities were confiscated and shipped to China; mainlanders displaced Taiwanese from nearly all political, industrial and judicial offices; ROC soldiers were looting and stealing; and the government imposed centralized government and reduced local control.
    Of course it was the fault of the Japanese. If they hadn't developed Taiwan's economy and raised the living standards of most Taiwanese, 228 would never have happened.

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  3. There is another much less significant, but still interesting 50th anniversary on May 24 this year. This is when, according to Chapter 19 in Kerr's book, the KMT ransacked the US Embassy. (now the Spot Film House). I posted about it in some detail here:
    http://initechnology.com/archives/525

    I just always thought this was interesting given the fact of how much the US contributed to the growth and security of Taiwan. 10 years after 228, the KMT were still looting private property.

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  4. Be sure to also check out the Peggy Durdin article in the Nation from May 1947, to which I also linked on my site. It is an incredibly graphic account of what happened.

    http://www.taiwandc.org/hst-1947.htm

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  5. Who are you people that side with an incompetent ruling party that is exploiting a human tragedy to stoke ethnic hatred?

    This massacre happened 60 years ago and the fact of the matter is NOBODY knows how many were killed. Its all estimated but even at that, if only 1 person was killed would be the same as 1 thousand, except for those that exploit and event and want to show the highest possible figure for "effect".

    Have any of you personally sat down with a family with relatives that have gone through this tragedy of 1947? - I HAVE.

    I have also examined with complete objectivity BOTH sides of the story and to both extremes and I think Li Ao is not as far off the mark as you (Apparent brainwashed KMT haters)are.

    How long have any of you studied (objectively) all the known facts of the event. TRUE Chiang was a murderer and theif but how convenient is it to exploit such a reputation by Chiang haters simply to blow the death toll of a tragedy
    grossly out of proportion?

    Li Ao has little or nothing to gain in stating 800 but The Taiwan Gov/Taipei Times/Taiwan News have their very asses on the line if they dont exagerate the amount.

    Wake up pro-DPP Goofballs. Not a single drop of American solders blood will drop for the Racist Chen administration or the DPP party because of their policy of "Tribalization" in Taiwan.

    The DPP Grave they dug themselves.
    They gave the USA an excuse to say "sorry, we cant defend Taiwan"
    when China attacks because Taiwan has been split into Tribes. Just Like Iraq is now. No Way, what a quagmire! China now has OWN3D! Stamped all over Taiwan and a Trillion dollars to blow on munitions.

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  6. Hi Trace. Your objectivity and commitment to historical truth just blows me away. I am simply too stunned to comment.

    M

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  7. Stoking ethnic hatred is calling talking about the history of 2-28 stoking ethnic hatred. It's not. Both benshengren and waishengren were killed. The problem was the KMT, Chiang Kai-shek, and a fascist/authoritarian ideology. The KMT can keep the DPP from monopolizing the issue by:

    1) Paying reparations to victims. they have plenty of money in their party assets.
    2) Releasing their official documents from that era
    3) Start making very public and formal apologies backed up with support for a historical commission to figure out what really happened.

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  8. Michael, Trace's comment does inspire one positive inquiry on my part. She mentions "tribalisation and "ethnic hatred".

    At first, in consideration of "her" (if it is a her) viewpoint, I thought maybe it is just irrational ranting (which we all do).

    I do know, however, that I've heard that many Hakka, or at least is it many in the Hakka community, support the KMT.

    I don't know if this is the case. Obviously, this does not warrant any hatred, ethnic or otherwise.

    Is it true?

    If it is true, then why? Is it based on family connections? Historical genealogy? Is there a way to break down this division if this is the case?

    My understanding, from personal experience, is that most Taiwanese are rather apolitical. Which is a bit dangerous. Withdrawal is not an option either.

    The DPP is a young party, which does make it a viable vehicle for the development for a nation's historical, political, economical, and most importantly, cultural aspirations.

    But that does not make it good that there should be just two major parties and political polarities and viewpoints. And I am not suggesting Lee Teng-Hui's party is one of these options, since he is part of the older guard.

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  9. Personally, I hate revisionist. Also, I don't see the harm of admitting that mainlanders (Chinese or whatever you like to call it), kill thousands of people in Taiwan (regardless how big the numbers are, I think Chinese should admit to it).

    Following is my personal extreme opinions:

    There are several advantage to admitting 228 incidents. First, you can remind Taiwanese, that exactly what Chinese can do to them. All their decisions face consequences. Also, when you want to jail or kill large amount of people, it is wiser to have legal process in your control. For example, if China invades Taiwan and you want to arrest all the Taiwanese not on your side. First you can call them "illegal combatants." Second, you arrest them. Third, you can either kill them in the name of "treason" or "sedition," or whatever charges you can think of, or just jail them without charges for years. All in an open court processes in your control, but you want to make sure every single person you killed going through the process; let's say go infornt of a judge and have them sentenced to death for treason that will take like 5 minutes max. This idea is actually inspired by Hussien's trail, that in one particular case US have hard time incriminating Hussien due to a written court document ordered the death of thousands of Kurts for an attempted murder of Hussien himself and uprising.

    So it is fine to be a mass murder as long as you did it right, and if someone ask you about other massacres i.e. Tibetans or Eastern Turks. Just told them that you fully believe massacres occured and told them that if the same things, uprising or civil unrest, happen again, you will do it again except you will build a process around it. Okay, might is power and I am EVIL.

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  10. From what I've read the mass killing of 'native Taiwanese' didn't start until March 3rd when the Fujian troops arrived. So shouldn't it be 303? Prior to that, it WAS the mainlander who were getting massacred or any one who was thought to be a non-native. Checking procedure including ability to speak Japanese...
    Many of the rioters also worn Japanese imperial clothing/swords and sang kimigayo. I can understand how that can drive the mainlander troops arriving at Taiwan crazy. After all many of them fought a very bitter war with japan no too long ago. Seeing what is happening in Taiwan probably gave many them terrible flashbacks...
    I know even one death is too many but so far only than 900 family have come out and request for the compensation for having their relatives being killed.(don't have to be direct member either from what I've heard). This is far from the Hundreds of thousands claimed by the current government and the tablet their erected at the 228 peace memorial park.
    I also noticed the wikipaedia's 228 section has been edited to remove mention of killing of mainlanders...hmmm...

    ReplyDelete
  11. Don't sweat it Michael.
    Trace has a habit of attacking foreigners who make fair, historically correct comments on Taiwanese affairs.
    And by the way, don't be surprised if you are copied into the next e-mail about his/her dysfunctional family.

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  12. <<<<<<<<
    Who are you people that side with an incompetent ruling party that is exploiting a human tragedy to stoke ethnic hatred?

    This massacre happened 60 years ago and the fact of the matter is NOBODY knows how many were killed. Its all estimated but even at that, if only 1 person was killed would be the same as 1 thousand, except for those that exploit and event and want to show the highest possible figure for "effect".
    >>>>>>>>>>


    Let's turn the question around a bit to see if these type of people who mininize tragedy of 228 feel the same way if Japanese nationalists say that the Nanking Massacre (or perhaps it whould be called the Nanking Incident as 228 is often called) has been grossly exaggerated and exploited by incompetent Chinese organizations for their own insidious gains, and to fuel ethnic tension between Chinese and Japanese.

    The fact of the matter is that Nanking took place 70 years ago, and NOBODY knows how many Chinese were killed either. According to Japanese nationalists, the number is too small to accuately count, so why do Chinese exploit Nanking and inflate the figures to astronomical heights for "effect"?

    <<<<<<<<
    Have any of you personally sat down with a family with relatives that have gone through this tragedy of 1947? - I HAVE.
    >>>>>>>>

    So have I. Do you want to compare accounts? Better yet, do you want to put them into the public record before a Truth and Reconcilation committee, who have not only the testimony of surviving eyewitnesses, but also the preserved records of third-party witnesses, who are neither Chinese nor Taiwanese, but were present to record the atrocities?

    <<<<<<<<<<<
    I have also examined with complete objectivity BOTH sides of the story and to both extremes and I think Li Ao is not as far off the mark as you (Apparent brainwashed KMT haters)are.
    >>>>>>>>>>>>

    I too have examined both sides of the story, and read not only the execrable articles of Liao (who while not affiliated witht he KMT is still very much a Chinese nationalist), but also of Lai and Meyers (better known as My What Liars) and various other KMT apologists. The main thing these people have in common is their ardent Chinese nationalism, and their fierce desire to avoid injuring the Chinese image.

    In historiography, the testimony that is most valued and given the most weight is that of third-party direct witnesses. In the case of Taiwan, these certainly exist. But of course, you or Liao might not accept anyone's testimony as reliable except that of another Chinese nationalist (because everybody else is brainwashed?). But
    if that's the case, then why should Japanese accept the testimony of anyone other a Japanese nationalist who denies the tragedy or severity of Nanking?

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  13. if you take a look at the mainstream media such as chinatimes and udn.com, they expressed views pretty similar to "Trace". They believe 228 is an issue exploited by DPP for their own political gains. The message for 228 is actually very confusing to local ppl.

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  14. <<<<<<<<<<
    Prior to that, it WAS the mainlander who were getting massacred or any one who was thought to be a non-native. Checking procedure including ability to speak Japanese...
    Many of the rioters also worn Japanese imperial clothing/swords and sang kimigayo. I can understand how that can drive the mainlander troops arriving at Taiwan crazy. After all many of them fought a very bitter war with japan no too long ago. Seeing what is happening in Taiwan probably gave many them terrible flashbacks...
    >>>>>>>>>>>

    When one studies the history of political discourse on Taiwan, one can often see the trajectory of permitted discussion on 228:

    (1) Outright denial. There were no massacres. Westerners were lying about what they saw.

    (2) Qualified denial. There were no massacres,
    only a Chinese army trying to restore order from Japanese-indoctrinated rioters

    (3) Inverted denial. It's the other way around. Chinese were being massacred by Taiwanese.

    (4) Minimization and trivialization
    (a) Only a few hundred people were killed.
    (b) The Taiwanese started it. Mainlanders were also killed, so it's a push.

    In the earlier post, we saw an example of (4a); now, we have here (4b)---also with elements of (3) and (4).

    Much of this evolution in the way the KMT confronts 228 depends on how much force it has at its disposal. In its early years, it had sufficient force to quell any public discussion of 228, and terrorize the Taiwanese into sheep-like submission. With the advent of modern technology, readily available information and communications punctured the wall of silence, so the KMT tried a different tack: using its television and print media to attack and silence its accusers with an even louder form of accusation---"You started it! You did it! We are the innocent!"

    An example of this inverted denial can be found in the statement:

    Prior to that, it WAS the mainlander who
    were getting massacre or any one who was
    thought to be a non-native.

    As mentioned above, historiography values the reports of third-party uninvolved witnesses, since their testimony is not colored by the emotions and subjective experiences that the participants are. History and historians place a premium on such testimony, and in all the reports of Western witnesses that I have found, I have yet to read an account of Taiwanese 'massacring' mainlanders.

    Kerr's book mentioned bands of Taiwanese involved in senseless fights with mainlanders. Shackleton's book, Jack Belden's book, Henry Lieberman, Tillman Durdin, and Peggy Durdin's reports fail to mention any at all. This does not mean that targeted killing of mainlanders did not the occur, but that the scale of any such occurrences, was eclipsed by several orders of magnitude by the atrocities the ROC army were committing upon the Taiwanese population.

    To put this into a different perspective, one need only consider how Chinese would react if Japanese nationalists declared that the Chinese should not complain about Nanking, since the Japanese suffered as much, if not more, since its intrepid Japanese soldiers were viciously killed by bands of Chinese militia. Would the Chinese be satisfied with such a disposition of their history at the hands of the Japanese?

    It is also interesting to note the following passage, which invokes some special pleading of behalf of the Chinese marauders:

    Many of the rioters also worn Japanese
    imperial clothing/swords and sang kimigayo.
    I can understand how that can drive the
    mainlander troops arriving at Taiwan crazy

    Putting aside the scale and proportionality of the number of rioters who actually wore Japanese imperial clothing, if any, the author somehow expects that readers abhor the thought that Taiwanese should identify closely with the Japanese, in spite of the fact that Taiwan was ceded in perpetuity to Japan, and colonized by Japan for half a century.

    In fact, there is no reason to fidget at the idea that wealthy and upper class Taiwanese had assimilated to Japanese influences, in much the same way that wealthy and upper class Taiwanese have assimilated to Chinese influences today. The ones in control of a country become the ultimate arbiters of its cultural identity. Taiwanese need not be ashamed or distressed over this, any more than the "Eastern Barbarians" should be ashamed of being assimilated into the Chinese sphere.

    Finally, the quizzical:

    I also noticed the wikipaedia's 228
    section has been edited to remove
    mention of killing of
    mainlanders...hmmm...

    It appears that the author now believes that Taiwanese or Taiwanese adherents are conspiring to cover up any mention of mainlanders being killed. By all means, if he has any reliable knowledge of Taiwanese killing mainlanders, he should put it in and set the record straight. Any such evidence, however, must be properly vetted, and checked against reliable third party witnesses.

    In order to have a just peace, truth must ultimately prevail. Somehow, though, I begin to doubt that the author's main motivation is the search for truth...

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  15. >>Who are you people that side with an incompetent ruling party that is exploiting a human tragedy to stoke ethnic hatred?<<
    I get tired of people always whining and accusing Taiwanese and specifically the DPP with 'stoking ethnic hatred'. A good example of what bullshit this is happened during the depose Chen campaign when the blue media accused Chen and the DPP of 'mobilizing their supporters based on ethnicity' when Chen supporters came to Taipei to protest the depose Chen campaign. The redshirts (who were mostly but not entirely pan blue) portrayed themselves as perfectly legitimate folks speaking out against corruption. But the Chen supporters - most of which had to come in from out of town by bus or whatever - were portrayed as angry masses that were 'mobilized by the DPP' based on ethnicity. How were the redshirts not equally and even more systematically mobilized? And the as mentioned above, the "educated elite" twisted the logic so that it would fit their view: They had no choice - the whole thing was actually Chen's fault for being so corrupt.

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  16. The massacre of 228 is being exploited by the ruling party of Taiwan – This is a fact and a quite disgusting act by a ruling party to try and hide their incompetence on the run up to an election year.

    My proof it is being exploited is the fact that from December 1895 to January 1896, uprisings against the New Japanese rule of Taiwan under Governor-General Kabayama Sukenori resulted in his request for reinforcements from home. In the ensuing crackdown, 2800 Taiwanese were killed around the island. This event is remarkably simialar to the massacre of 228. yet it is never mentioned unless one studies Japanese Military history. Are these Aboriginal Taiwanese that were slaughtered in cold blood in the winter of 1895 LESS valuable that the Taiwanese of 1947? Obviously so according to the DPP, The DPP totally ignores them because they are of NO USE to them. The DPP sees no reason to exploit the Japanese; the Japanese are not running a candidate for the Taiwan presidental election in 2008.

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  17. 匿名 obviously feels he is correct and everyone else is wrong if they disagree with his point of view. He even has a cute numbering system for excuses. How can I present my point of view in a forum with such folks riding high horses. Hey 匿名 what about excuse #5, how come you completely omitted it? No.5 being that the issue is deliberately blown out of proportion when compared to the atrocities the Japanese perpurtrated upon the Aboriginal peoples. These massacres are COMPLETELY ignored by the DPP as if they never happened. This dictates the Aboriginals are of no value to the DPP thus the publics attention should remain ONLY on 228. Such logic contends the 228 has room to be distorted to look as horrific as possible to the public and to look as certain as possible that Chiang Kai Shek deliberately did it and No mainlanders were killed. This is a possibility correct? Why do you not mention this possibility.

    The DPP have an Agenda, That is to first Kill off Chiang and everything representing Chiang including rewritting the (as per匿名 )obivously FALSE history of Chiang that the Nationalists have been stating and CORRECTING everyones mind to the new (correct per 匿名) History according to actual eyewitnesses and such that MUST not include any KMT.

    After Chiang is Killed off, The DPP Agenda moves onto Ma and all "threatening" KMT party members - These are destroyed as well. Now with the masses in Taiwan pissing all over Chiangs grave and the KMT all in prison the DPP can have a nice and fair election right?

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  18. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
    The massacre of 228 is being exploited by the ruling party of Taiwan – This is a fact and a quite disgusting act by a ruling party to try and hide their incompetence on the run up to an election year.
    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

    All right, let's examine this "fact", and see which acts are particularly "disgusting"

    <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
    My proof it is being exploited is the fact that from December 1895 to January 1896, uprisings against the New Japanese rule of Taiwan under Governor-General Kabayama Sukenori resulted in his request for reinforcements from home. In the ensuing crackdown, 2800 Taiwanese were killed around the island.
    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

    Far more aborigines were killed by the Japanese than that. At the risk of having to do the author's research for him, the 1930 Wushe massacres of aborigines by the Japanese were not only more recent, but much more cruel than those of 1895-1896.

    The year 1895 was when China ceded Taiwan to Japan in perpertuity under the terms of the Treaty of Shimonoseki. The embittered QIng officials urged the people of Taiwan to declare independence, as a means of thwarting the transfer of sovereignty to Japan (ie: the Qing court set them up and let them take the fall).

    The Republic of Taiwan was quickly formed, and the Japanese---just as quickly---crushed it, fighting a year-long series of guerilla wars against the native population before they could assume control of the island. During their colonial rule, though, the Japanese waged many more "pacification campaigns" against the aborigines, the result of which was unrelenting warfare against the aborigines.

    <<<<<<<<<<<<<
    This event is remarkably simialar to the massacre of 228. yet it is never mentioned unless one studies Japanese Military history.
    >>>>>>>>>>>>>

    No. The 1895-1896 campaigns were nothing like 228.

    (1) The Japanese never lied or tried to suppress or covered up their killings. Indeed, they eagerly told frightened foreigners in Taiwan, all the efforts they were undertaking to "eliminate" the aborigines problem.

    (2) If anything, the Wushe massacres bore greater similarities, as the Japanese quelled an uprising with terror against un-armed civilians. Japanese, though, felt some sort accountability, as members of the Japanese government had to resign in the aftermath of Wushe. See:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiwan_under_Japanese_rule

    (3) Sentiments against the Japanese have faded because the Japanese governance disappeared from Taiwan over 60 years ago, and Japanese culture and identity no longer take hold. 60 years after the ROC government vanishes from Taiwan, and after Chinese culture and identity no longer hold sway, I would expect sentiments over 228 to fade as well.

    <<<<<<<<<<<<<
    Are these Aboriginal Taiwanese that were slaughtered in cold blood in the winter of 1895 LESS valuable that the Taiwanese of 1947?
    >>>>>>>>>>>>>

    They were slaughtered in cold blood in 1930, but not in 1895. Nonetheless, the lives of aborigines are certainly not less valuable, though they were treated as such, not just by the Japanese government but by the Qing government as well. The Chinese governors and military commanders the QIngs sent made great efforts to kill aborigines in Taiwan:

    http://www.atayal.org/History8.asp

    1876 --- Luo Dachun quells an uprising of the Taroko aborigines of eastern Taiwan in the spring. In July Wu Alai of Keelung gathers supporters and declares an uprising.

    The book "Report on the Pacification of the Aborigines" is completed. Edward House writes "An Account of the Conquest of Taiwan."

    1877 --- On August Wu Guangliang suppresses the aboriginal rebellion at Qimi village and moves Puli village to a new site, referred to as Dapucheng.

    Wu Guangliang suppresses the aboriginal rebellion at Qimi village and moves Puli village to a new site, referred to as Dapucheng.

    1878 --- Rewards are given for the settlement of aboriginal areas.
    The Ami of Jialiyuan and Zhuqiaoyuan in Taitung county rebel. Troops under Wu Guangliang and Zhang Taolian suppress the uprising.

    [See the URL for further examples]

    <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
    The DPP sees no reason to exploit the Japanese; the Japanese are not running a candidate for the Taiwan presidental election in 2008.
    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

    True, the Japanese are no longer in Taiwan, but a few holes in the author's theory are:

    (1) Even when the DPP was not in power, 228 was already an extremely painful and incendiary topic among Taiwanese. When Lee Teng-hui apologized for 228 in 1995, while the KMT was still in power, Taiwanese held numerous demonstrations to demand a full and complete disclosure of the massacres and atrocities that took place. So many protesters gathered around the home of Peng Meng-chi, the Butcher of Kaohsiung, that police reinforcements had to be called in.

    (2) Every year, 228 is commemorated by Taiwanese regardless of whether the DPP is running a candidate for election or not.

    (3) There is no controvery over any of the Japanese massacres of the aborigines (or other Taiwanese), because the Japanese government never tried to cover them up. At times, the Japanese were proud to take responsibility for the numbers killed, and eagerly admitted it.

    There is long-lasting controversy over 228, because public discussion of 228 was suppressed for nearly a half century. The people in the ROC government only grudgingly and dismissively admitted any culpability after 1995, and still has yet to provide full disclosure, seeking only to shun responsibility and muddy the waters by making invidious comparisons of 228 with other tragedies in Taiwan---such as the history and treatment of aborigines.

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  19. I believe what my research tells me not what the KMT tells me not what the DPP tells me and certainly not what any Taiwan newspaper writes. My research is all news sources and witness accounts assembled together. I dont weigh heavily towards ANY side as ALL tragedies get overblown to some degree by each side.

    Interestingly one of the earlier writers here discounted the notion that "The KMT came here and everyone was wearing Japanese uniforms" It was scoffed at like... Yeah Right! A few at best probably. But all you have to do is go down to the Malibu Pub any night and speak with Mr. Ed Pozznecke. An 80 year old Taiwan "lifer" who laughs at those who think otherwise. He was here in Taipei in 1946 and Yes indeed THEY ALL WORE JAPANESE UNIFORMS. They were like Levis jeans to them.
    They never wore out, they were in fashion and most males WORE THEM.

    Go talk to Ed, He is a very respected man and he is a living witness to 1946 Taipei.

    Yes, the KMT came in and Put down a rebellion and they murdered as well but I also say the DPP is exploiting the situation because any idiot would agree they are.

    And for white terror - What is that the terror most western nations placed on Black citizens that were hanged from trees, males raped in the ass and the so called "coloreds" couldn’t even vote? Now thats white terror! So why arent these western nations filled with politicians demanding the political parties governing during those eras apologizing to these blacks. Why is it not Front page news every election year? Why are there no memorials. Well because surely the governments of advanced western democracies see no need to EXPLOIT a terrible situation of the past merely to “Win Votes” or crush a challenging party – That is so counter productive right? and surely no westerner here would condone it unless of course they are brainwashed Racist DPP lovers.

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  20. Trace,

    Thank you for your very kind comments. They take my breath away.

    Michael

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  21. Don’t bother directing any further comments towards me. I have decided to cut this link and not check back on this forum. I am much to busy to get all caught up in politics.

    I certainly hope the KMT does absolutely nothing about all the name changes and does nothing about the Chiang Kai-Shek memorial. In fact they should (I Hope) Play victim and allow the DPP to completely demolish and rename everything they don’t want without a peep from the KMT. Using the Ethnic card or exploitation card is a 2 edged sword. If the victim protests, fights back. The victim loses. If the victim (KMT)
    Does nothing, gets the hell beat out of them and they lay bleeding but peaceful – The KMT will win the presidential election. This I guarantee!

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