A Contradiction between A Firsthand Observer’s Recommendations and Policy Making: George Kerr’s view of the 2.28 Incident as contrasted with that of the United States Governmen
Date Issued
2007
Date
2007
Author(s)
Sitzer, Abram Glenn
DOI
en-US
Abstract
George Kerr was involved in Formosan affairs for nearly thirty years, and is a renowned advocate of Formosan independence. He had the unique opportunity of serving both civilian and commissioned roles while stationed in Taiwan. When working for the War Department, the Navy, and the Department of State, Kerr witnessed a tumultuous decade of Taiwanese history firsthand. Undoubtedly, Kerr was deeply touched by the sequence of events surrounding the transfer of Formosan sovereignty from the hands of the Japanese to those of the Chinese.
Kerr’s opinion of the Chinese Nationalists is far from unknown: this is an exploration of how this opinion changed during the time he spent in Taiwan, especially after personally witnessing many events. After the February Incident, Kerr became more adamant about his recommendation for Formosan independence- now that atrocities he foresaw were truly coming to pass. Kerr proposed that Formosa be granted trusteeship- as a trust territory of the United States. This ‘imperialist’ view was unpopular in Washington and, after it fell on deaf ears, Kerr became increasingly frustrated with the US Government view and Washington politics. He left an administration that had failed to heed his warnings as many innocent Taiwanese lost their lives and their liberty.
Kerr felt continued frustration of the US political and financial support of the Nationalist party and Chiang Kai-shek, which eventually led to his resignation and his entrance into academia. Using Kerr’s published works as well as recently declassified notes, documents, memoranda and correspondence from the Taipei 2.28 Memorial Museum and declassified U.S. State Department Central Files, this paper will examine Kerr’s observations and reactions to the 2.28 incident and his proposals to the U.S. government, contrasted with the position and actions of the U.S. government during the time surrounding the incident, and lastly why the U.S. failed to accept his suggestions.
Subjects
葛超智
二二八事件後
George Kerr
February 28 Incident
Taiwan
Type
thesis
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