I also wrote about Ông Thiam-ting (王添灯)'s story here: forumosa.com/taiwan/viewtopi … 2&t=150610
As I was trying to clarify the political positions of Chiang Wei-sui (Tsiúnn Ūi-súi 蔣渭水) and what happened to his brother Chiang Wei-chuan (Tsiúnn Ūi-tshuan 蔣渭川) during 228, I came across an US department of state’s document about CWC.
Basically, on March 5, 1947, Chiang Wei-chuan used the name of his political organization to ask the US embassy to forward a message to Chiang Kai-shek, begging CKS not to send troops to Taiwan.
Interestingly, Chen Yi (陳儀), the KMT official in charge, asked CWC to make a radio broadcast on behalf of the KMT government on March 2. CWC could have simply have Chen Yi to deliver such message, but obviously CWC had little faith in Chen Yi’s resolve to deliver his message, so he chose to go through the Americans.
The document reads (I retyped it so might not be 100% correct):
[quote]
INCOMING TELEGRAM
RESTRICTED
Control 2292
Rec’d March 8, 1947
1:12 a.m.
FROM: Nanking
TO: Secretary of State
NO: 479, March 7, 4 p.m.
Following is 36 Mar 5 from Taipei.
"Following is translated text of letter handed to Consulate today by delegation of Political Reconstruction Promotion Assn of Taiwan, an established responsible organization, taking large part in mediation for settlement of present situation.
'March 5, 1947.
'The US Consulate Taipei Taiwan
'Sir:
'For the protection of the lives of the six million and more Formosans, we cordially request you to forward the enclosed letter to Ambassador Dr. Leighton Stuart for transmission to the National Govt of the Republic of China.
‘From (chopped) the Political Reconstruction Promotion Assn of Taiwan’
Following is translated text of enclosure : 'To His Excellency, President Chiang of the National Govt of the Republic of China through the kindness of Ambassador Dr. Leighton Stuart of the American Embassy in Nanking:
'Your Excellency:
'This civil commotion in Taiwan Province is purely in protest against corrupt officialdom and a demand for political reformation with no other purposes whatsoever. We entreat you
not to dispatch troops to Taiwan in order to avoid further provocation of the people. We also earnestly beg that you immediately send a high official to Taiwan to settle the incident for the sake of the nation.
‘From (chopped) the Political Reconstruction Promotion Assn of Taiwan Province. March 5’
“Consulate has agreed to forward this communication to American Embassy for its discretionary action”.
STUART
JMS:ABC
A Youth League of considerable potential significance came into being. Stressing …
as basic principles a desire to make Taiwan a model province of China and to …
hasten Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s program of National Reconstruction. The founder, …
former president of the Chamber of Commerce, Chiang We-chuan, said:
“We absolutely support the Central Government but will eradicate all currupt officials in this province. This is our aim which I hope every one of you fully grasp.” (Ching Wei Jih Pao, March 6, 1947)[/quote]
The Political Reconstruction Promotion Association of Taiwan is also known as Taiwan People’s Association (台灣民眾協會), founded by Chiang We-chuan. CWC wanted to revive Taiwan Culture Association (台灣文化協會) and Taiwan People’s Party (台灣民眾黨), both founded by his brother.
As mentioned in the previous discussion, Chen Yi sent troops to CWC’s house on March 10, 5 days after the above telegraph was sent. The troops announced they were on orders to kill CWC, and then failed to capture CWC, but killed his daughter and mortally wounded his son in the process. CWC went into hiding for a full year, before someone in the KMT vouched for him. Immediately after coming out of hiding, the KMT assigned a high political position to CWC, trying to prove to the Americans that the KMT is committed to political reform.
Many Taiwanese people were upset that CWC made that radio broadcast to urge for peace, while Chen Yi used the confusion to kill and defeat Taiwanese efforts. An ad was ran on a Taiwanese paper congratulating CWC’s new found position and was signed “All the deceased and victims of 228.” CWC promptly resigned his new position the very next day.
However, it seems like CWC was simply fooled by Chen Yi and used as a pawn. CWC really did have Taiwanese’ best interests at heart.