declaration of formosan self-salvation

8/14/2019 Declaration of Formosan Self-Salvation

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Declaration of Formosan Self-Salvation

September 20, 1964 Peng Ming-min Hsieh Tsung-min Wei Ting-chao

http://www.hi-on.org.tw/ad/peng_0707_rt.html

A strong movement is rapidly sweeping across Taiwan. It is a self-salvation

movement for the 12 million (the population at that time) people of Taiwan, who are

unwilling to be governed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or destroyed by

Chiang Kai-shek. People throughout the world are awakening, and we want to join

them. To establish a democratic, free, sensible, and prosperous society, we will unite

to abolish Chiang Kai-shek’s illegitimate regime. We deeply believe that joining this

strong movement to realize our dignified objectives is everyone’s right, and also

everyone’s duty.

One:

“One China, One Taiwan” has long been a solid truth. In Europe, America, Africa, or

Asia, the recognition of the Chinese Communists does not affect the world’s

acceptance of “One China, One Taiwan.” Even in the United States, who remains

isolated in its Asian policies, only a few conservative politicians advocate the theory

of non-recognition (not recognizing Chinese Communists as the legitimate

government of China). Mainstream opinions, especially those of the intellectuals,

demand the legal recognition of “One China, One Taiwan” to ultimately solve the

conundrum. American foreign policy is directed towards that end. Why does the

United States still nominally treat Chiang’s regime as the only legitimate government

of China? It is because the United States wants to use it to bargain with the Chinese

Communists and reach a gainful compromise. The United States and Communist

China have negotiated more than one hundred times in Warsaw. The United States has

insisted that as long as the Chinese Communists abandon the request to “liberate

Taiwan,” America’s door will always be open to them. Chiang’s regime is barely

surviving solely with the help of the Seventh Fleet of the United States. We should

never be blinded by the wishful thinking of the “re-conquest of China” and thereby

take the path of destruction. Once the Seventh Fleet retreats, Chiang’s regime will

collapse in a few hours. Slogans such as the “re-conquest of China” only serve as a

decoy of maintaining Chiang’s illegitimate regime and suppressing the people of

Taiwan.





Two:

The “re-conquest of China” is absolutely impossible! Anyone with basic common

sense will unquestionably arrive at such a conclusion. The military under Chiang Kai-shek is at best a defensive force; it is definitely not an offensive force. Its existence

completely relies on the military assistance of the United States, and the goal of

American assistance is limited to maintain America’s line of defense in the Pacific.

Therefore it (Chiang’s military) cannot acquire attack weapons that are beyond the

defense’s needs. Its navy cannot combat alone in the ocean, because it does not even

have a battleship, let alone the equipment needed to maintain one. Its air force is

composed of short-range fighter jets. The indispensable transporters and long-range

fighter jets are pitifully few. Chiang’s army is still largely made up of lightly-equipped

infantrymen; mechanized units and heavy artillery units are merely decorative.

Taiwan cannot afford to economically support the re-conquest of China. Although

Chiang Kai-shek fully backs up his military and allocates more than eighty percent of

the national budget to the military, it is difficult enough to maintain several hundred

thousand soldiers during peacetime in this little place. How can the economy sustain

the huge costs of war? How can it re-supply the loss of human power?

The purpose of war does not exist anymore. Chiang Kai-shek calls for liberty and

democracy. he is stepping on human rights and keeps all the power in his hands

though. He practices despotism with the help of his special agents. Some people say

that the Mainlanders are nostalgic and thus easily manipulated by him. In reality,

Chinese Communists have grown so powerful that the believers of Nationalism

already can feel better about the humiliations caused by foreign powers in the last one

hundred years. Who are we really fighting for? What are we fighting for? Chiang Kai-

shek has lost a convincing objective for war. Who is willing to lose his life for this

despot?

Chiang’s soldiers dedicate all their lives to him. What do they gain from it? Once they

are old, they usually end up wandering the streets. How can they not detest this big

lie? Therefore, retired soldiers often say: “Retired soldiers made Chiang lose China,

and they would be the same ones to make him perish.”

The lives of soldiers on active duty are even worse. They often say: “Mao Ze-dong

cut off our ties with our ancestors, and Chiang Kai-shek cut off our futuregenerations.” Crazy people risk danger in desperation. Unruly people pass the days in



melancholy. Army officers and soldiers always breach the rules. Commanders are

corrupt and bribe many people. There is no discipline in the military.

As for the Taiwanese youth drafted to substitute for the retired soldiers, stillembedded in their minds is their hatred for Chiang Kai-shek’s slaughtering of the

twenty-thousand Taiwanese leaders during the 228 Incident. Although the Taiwanese

youth do not vocalize it (their hatred), they are nevertheless Chiang Kai-shek’s “silent

enemies.” Dressed in military uniforms, these youth’s thoughts are hard to penetrate.

However, they are not about to call the bandit their father, and become a slave to

Chiang Kai-shek. The political commissar system controls military actions, and

reduces the efficiency of the military. The advantage of military actions is that one can

swiftly mobilize human power and other resources to accomplish the mission. The

political commissar system unfailingly monitors military actions, and its political

purpose has more weight than military purpose; its political responsibility annuls

military efficiency. Even though the enlightened ones in the military, like Sun Li-ren,

have voiced dissent, they are charged with made-up offenses and remain wronged

today. Those in the military often say: “once we mobilize, we will kill the political

instructors first.”

Think! How can a military without any capability to attack, with no money, low

morale, and inefficiency compete with the Communist Communists in a purposeless

war called the “re-conquest of China.” The stubborn five-star Generalissimo Chiang

Kai-shek is like Don Quixote, challenging the windmills with a broken broom.

Three:

Why does Chiang keep shouting out the slogan of the “re-conquest of China?” It is

because that this slogan is the only means for him to maintain power and command

the people. For fifteen years, he has used this empty check to declare martial laws and

control more than ten million people. His trick of “re-conquering China” is, without a

doubt, the greatest lie of the twentieth century.

KMT officials know that this lie cannot last forever. They send their sons and the

money they stole (from the state) abroad, preparing to flee at any time. At the same

time, they act as a mountebank and feed the pill of “re-conquering China” to Chiang

Kai-shek.

Let’s see what magic this slogan has:



1. It fools the people. It uses the psychological weakness of the people to prolong

Chiang’s regime---one that has long lost its existence. Some Mainlanders are

nostalgic, and they will support Chiang for the fantasy of “re-conquering China.”

Some Taiwanese hope for the political pressures and the economic burdens to ease, sothey tentatively believe in it.

2. In the Period of Mobilization for the Suppression of the Communist Rebels, Chiang

can disregard the constitution and the law. He can falsely incriminate patriots who are

honorable, further limit their freedom of speech, block the news, control people’s

thoughts, and implement policies that deceive the public.

3. Chiang’s regime uses the Chinese Communists as a bargaining chip and a tool to

obtain assistance (money, food, weapons, etc.) from the United States. When

negotiations are not going smoothly, or when the U.S. pressures Chiang, the regime

immediately gives out the message that the Nationalists and the Communists are

about to have a talk in Hong Kong. This makes the Chinese Communist-phobic

Americans helpless. In sum, the slogan of “re-conquering China” can increase the

regime’s bargaining power abroad; internally it allows the regime to strictly practice

the politics of fear and extend its own existence.

Four:

Whom does Chiang Kai-shek’s regime represent?

The Nationalist government claims that it is “the only legitimate government of

China.” He (Chiang) thinks that the members of the National Assembly, the

Legislative Yuan, and the Control Yuan are elected by the people, including the

representatives from Mainland China and Taiwan. We know that these elections took

place eighteen years ago in 1947. We also know that the people of Mainland China

detested the corruption and incompetence of Chiang’s government after less than two

years in power. Although Chiang had millions of soldiers, he was soon driven out of

the Mainland. Apparently, the people of Mainland China have chosen another

government. If the Nationalist government could not represent the people of Mainland

China then, how can it represent them eighteen years later today when a new

generation has already come? Obviously, Chiang’s regime cannot represent the people

of Mainland China now.

Then, can Chiang’s regime represent the people of Taiwan? Among the three thousand



plus National Assembly representatives, those representing Taiwan amount only to a

little more than ten. Among the four hundred seventy-three seats of the Legislative

Yuan, those representing Taiwan amount to six. Their terms of office ended twelve

and fifteen years ago, respectively. Therefore they cannot really represent the peopleof Taiwan. Moreover, during the 228 Incident, Chiang Kai-shek slaughtered twenty-

thousand Taiwanese leaders (the population then was only six million). Despite the

fact that the Taiwanese have been hushed on the subject, they are still the “silent

enemies” of Chiang.

Speaking of the Taiwanese people and the Mainlanders, we must point out that while

Chiang’s regime calls for the slogan of the “cooperation between the Taiwanese and

the Mainlanders,” he actually shuns their collaboration. The regime does everything

to sabotage the relationship between the Taiwanese and the Mainlanders. This strategy

is most obvious in the elections. To manipulate and control the people, Chiang divides

the Taiwanese and the Mainlanders, makes them distrust each other and act

independently. Therefore the regime has always prevented concerted efforts by the

Taiwanese and the Mainlanders to defeat Chiang’s despotic rule and achieve

democracy. As Lei Chen requested that the Taiwanese work with the Mainlanders,

Chiang Kai-shek showed his true colors---he disregarded public opinions both in

Taiwan and abroad and fiercely named Lei Chen a communist. Chiang fully knows

that the day when the Taiwanese and the Mainlanders cooperate would also be the day

that his regime collapses.

In other words, Chiang’s regime represents the KMT, and according to their tradition

of “party-state,” it represents China, too. The KMT itself is authoritarian, not

democratic. Most of the party members have no rights to express themselves; in

meetings, representatives can only listen to the teachings of their chief, clap, and bow.

They are a bunch of sycophants and can only pass the proposals of their chief. They

are afraid to question the content of the proposals. In the party, there are many

factions. In Chiang’s struggle for power, he wiped out factions such as the Two

Cantons, and those under Hu Han-min, Chang Fa-kwei, and Lee Tsung-jen. Factions

that do not gain Chiang’s favor cannot join the core of power in the KMT. These

numerous members who are rejected are of course angry and discontent. Smart people

in the KMT choose to avoid talking about it and protest in silence. Some even actively

criticize it, becoming the mainstream force that opposes Chiang’s regime.

We can say that Chiang’s regime only represents a select few inside the KMT. it doesnot represent China, nor can it represent Taiwan. In fact, it cannot even represent the



KMT.

Five:

Taiwanese economy faces two serious problems: one is the huge military

organization, and the other is a rapidly growing population. This is a trap of self-

destruction under the regime’s false call for the “re-conquest of China.”

According to the regime’s statistics this year, military spending accounts for more

than eighty percent of the budget. This number does not include all of the military

spending. The price of the twenty tons of rice supplied by the National Grain

Administration is far below the market price, and far below the listed price of the

National Grain Administration. The transportation costs of the military, the electricity

fees, and other expenses owed to state-owned companies are never paid. The income

of the factories that supply military necessities and American aid go to the military

also; the expenditure of the military far exceeds the capitals available.

A rapidly growing population also diminishes the effects of economic growth.

Unemployment worsens daily, especially in the faming villages. There are about four

million laborers in Taiwan, and among them at least one million, around one fourth of

the laborers’ population, are unemployed. One thousand two hundred and thirty

people are allotted every square kilometer of farm land. Each year, more than one

thousand college-educated youth are forced to leave the country. Chiang’s regime is

afraid to face the reality, telling people that the solution to the problem is the tall tale

of the “re-conquest of China.” Although some fair-minded people demand a change, it

does not help the situation. They say that those who advocate birth control are

defeatists, for they place their hopes on the new-born babies, thinking that in twenty

years this new generation will take up weapons to re-conquer China.

Many think that the land policy is one of the commendable accomplishments under

the Chiang’s regime. In fact, the motive for Chiang to pursue land reform is to weaken

the opposition force. Since the Ching Dynasty, the traditional political leaders of

Taiwan come from the landed class. Chiang clearly knows that the ups-and-downs of

these people will affect his authoritarian regime. Therefore, in 1948 he killed twenty

thousand Taiwanese leaders during the 228 Incident and in 1950 implemented land

reform to defeat the class of traditional political leaders. Of course, that the

Mainlanders do not belong to the Taiwanese gentry is the main reason the land reformcould be put into practice. Chiang single-mindedly destroyed the landed class and its



local influence never recovers after this setback; farmers are oppressed in the pricing

of farm products; they remain unable to escape heavy taxes, fertilizers-for-grains

policy, and other forms of exploitation. Everyday they scrape a living.

Economic policies should be conducted with a long-term development plan in mind.

The regime, however, blindly invests without following basic economic principles. It

takes emergency measures that are superficial and provisional. To keep supplying

food to the military, the regime exploits the farmers. The regime covets the small

profits at hand and in doing so loses the real benefits. They are afraid that it would

suddenly be unable to supply financially the military, and thus allows the taxation

system, the regime’s lifeline, to corrupt, instead of reforming it. For consolidation in

power, it even collaborates with zaibatsu (plutocrats) and oppresses the poor public,

which creates huge economic inequality and renders the society highly unstable.

Let’s see the true colors of Chiang’s regime at its end. On one hand, it places the

executioners in important positions to rule with violence. On the other hand, it

exploits the people by selling state-owned enterprises and using the twelve hundred

million worth of government bonds to buy land in cities. Further, Chiang sends his

financial manager Hsu Po-yuan to disperse the hard-won possession of Taiwanese

people for a significant amount of real estate purchase.

Six:

Is Taiwan sufficient to form its own country?

A country is only an instrument to bring welfare to its people. Any people who face

the same situation and stand to lose or gain together can form a country. For more

than ten years, Taiwan has practically been a country. In terms of population,

productivity, and cultural level, Taiwan ranks in the thirties among the one hundred

and plus members of the United Nations. In fact, it is the people from many small

countries that are benefiting more from social welfare and the contributions of culture.

The Scandinavian countries, Switzerland, and South America’s Paraguay are all good

examples. We should abandon the illusion and burden of a “big country” and face

reality by building a democratic and prosperous society.

Some people said that Chiang Kai-shek has become a naked emperor, and that we can

wait for the end of his regime. However, we must not exclude the possibility thatwhen Chiang’s regime ends, those in charge would not hand Taiwan over to the



Chinese Communists. We must be concerned that Taiwan might be dominated by the

international powers. For this reason, we absolutely cannot wait (for Chiang’s regime

to end).

Many intellectuals still blindly believe in a “peaceful transfer of power” and “gradual

reform.” We must point out that if you look at the notorious history of the KMT, you

will immediately realize that with the arrogant Chiang Kai-shek, any compromise is

not a hope but merely a trap---a trap especially for the prosecution of intellectuals.

Therefore we must never have the delusion of a “peaceful transfer of power” nor

compromise.

We also want to honestly warn those who cooperate with Chiang’s regime: “You

should repent and stop acting as Chiang’s tools. Otherwise, history and the people will

impose the most severe sanctions on you.

Seven:

In a developing region like Taiwan, its economic development is in reality a grand

cultural, social, economic, and political revolution with politics as the force propelling

it all. Although Taiwan has a good foundation of modernization, as long as the corrupt

and useless regime of Chiang Kai-shek exists in Taiwan, we are far from being

completely modernized. Thus, we must never expect a “gradual reform.”

Based on such understandings, we propose the following thoughts. We are willing to

shed our last drop of blood to realize these goals.

A: Our Goals

1. Realize that the “re-conquest of China” is impossible. Overthrow the Chiang Kai-

shek regime. Gather the strength of the 12 million people, regardless of their origins,

to build a new nation and establish a new government.

2. Adopt a new constitution to protect the basic human rights. Establish an effective

government that is responsible to the Parliament. Realize true democracy.

3. As a member of the free world, rejoin the United Nations and establish diplomatic

ties with all peace-loving countries, and work together towards world peace.



B: Our Principles:

1. Following the rules of democracy, hold direct election to choose the country’s

leader. He is not to be an idol lionized by the people. Nor is he omnipotent. There willnot be any unquestionable doctrines. He will be a public servant monitored by the

Parliament.

2. Protect the freedoms to assemble, form civil society, and express. Ensure that the

opposition party can obtain legal status. Realize party politics.

3. Abolish privileges. Put an end to corruption. Clean up politics. Improve the

treatment of soldiers, public servants, and teachers.

4. Establish a sound system for selecting civil servants. Use scientific management to

improve the efficiency of the government. Ensure that politics is clean and fair.

5. Ensure independent judicature (or jurisdiction). Abolish regulations that invade

human rights. Prohibit unlawful arrests, inquisition, and punishments.

6. Eliminate all special agents. Following the norm of democratic countries, regulate

the status and responsibilities of the police. Foster a law-abiding spirit among the

people.

7. Ensure people’s freedom to communicate here and abroad, freedom to move, and

freedom to travel. Maintain an open society.

8. Under the principle of defense, downsize the military, and ensure the status and

livelihood of retired soldiers. In terms of economy, due to the large reduction of

military expense, we can utilize resources and speed up the growth of economy by

following long-term goals and planning. We will use democracy to allocate economic

rights, and abolish privileges that benefit certain people and social class; we will

ensure equal opportunities for all. We will establish a direct taxation system; we will

increase graduated income tax and inheritance tax to make the disparity of wealth

disappear. For bringing substantial meaning to human dignity and personal freedom,

we plan to expand the productivity of our country, combat unemployment and raise

the living standards of the people. We will reform the means of production in

traditional farming villages and challenge their belief that keeping warm and full isenough. We will bring science to the farming society, mechanize and modernize it. In



the past, Chiang’s regime invested blindly, unreasonably interfered with the affairs of

companies, supported capitalists with low wages, exploited farmers with the

“fertilizers for grains” plan, and increased people’s burden by raising sales and other

taxes. We will completely solve these problems.

We faithfully believe that the purpose of society is to uphold personal dignity, and

improve the welfare of the people. We therefore oppose the fear and avarice Chiang’s

regime generates (or engenders) and its destructive acts to impede the development of

solidarity. We will build a trusting and loving society, so that everyone can live a

complete, active, and happy life.

For many years, there are only two value judgments: one is that of the extremely right

Nationalists, and one is that of the extremely left Chinese Communists. Real

knowledge cannot be applied to maximize benefits for the society. We must abandon

these two chains; we must give up our reliance on the Nationalist and the Communist

parties. Away from the Nationalists and the Communists, Taiwan must choose a third

path----the path of self-salvation.

Let’s end these dark days! Let us summon all those who are unwilling to be governed

by the communists, and also reluctant to be destroyed by Chiang Kai-shek. Let’s unite

and fight to end Chiang’s despotic regime and build a free nation.

Brethren, who love democracy and freedom, do not despair on account of the dark

reality that you see. Let us tell you that the situations in Taiwan and abroad are more

and more advantageous, and the strength of our self-salvation is speedily growing.

Our comrades are in government institutions, local groups, military, businesses,

newspaper agencies, schools, factories, and farming villages. Our organization has

been in close contact with comrades in the United States, Japan, Canada, France, and

Germany; we have garnered ardent support. Once the opportunity comes, our

comrades will appear at every corner in Taiwan, and work with you hand in hand.

Brethren! Victory is ahead of us. Let’s unite!

This is our emblem. From today on, it will appear in front of you at any time

anywhere. Remember, when you see it, know that this organization is rapidly

expanding, and that this movement is powerfully unfolding.

李明峻˙許維綸譯



Translated by Li Ming-Juinn＆William Wei-Lun Hsu

declaration of formosan self-salvation

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