Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-03-11
Chang Now
Runs Formosu
By Fronk Robertson

By Fronk Robertson
TAIPEH.-Formosa today is in
a far stronger position than at
any time since the end of the war.
Although the boost given to
Chinese Nationalist fortunes by
the Korean conflict can scarcely
be exaggerated, it is true also that
the earnest, though often harsh
job of housekeeping carried out
by the Nationalist has con-
tributed materially to their i'm
proved situation.
For the first time since they
took over Formosa from the
japanese at the conclusion of
World War II, the Nationalist
have firm control of this fertile
and prosperous island. Also at
the moment the Nationalist cause
is less unpopular than it was with
the Americans. Nationalist lead
ers who gather for regular con-
ferences at the unpretentious
Japanese-style house of General
issimo Chang Kai-shek On Grass
Mountain, overlooking Taipeh.
have reason enough to be pleased
with the existing state of affairs;
the more so since less than a year
ago it seemed certain that the
Kuomintang was finished as a
political body of any standing or
influence.
Today the Koumintang, less
divided, than ever before. is in full
control of Nationalist affairs, and
the position of its leader, Chang
Kai-shek, is undisputed.
Chiang's Hand Stronger
This is due in no small part to
the housekeeping ordered by the
63-year-old generalissimo. The
party cliques which jeopardized
the Nationalist cause by their
bitter squabbling so often in the
past have been pretty well broken
up and their power dissolved.
Today the army, under Chang,
has the greatest measure of con-
troll over national affairs. The
powerful &C clique, which derived
it's title from the Machiavellian
Chen brothers and so often in the
past influenced or even decided
national policy. no longer exists.
In breaking the power of the
cliques, Chang has strengthened
his own position. and whatever
misgivings the West may have
about the policies and methods of
the generalissimo, it is quite clear
after only a short time in For
mosa that he is the man who will
have to be dealt with if the Ma
tionalists are to be considered an
active ally in the fight against
communism. There is no one else.
Chang has made his island
relatively secure from internal
disruption by a drastic campaign
against Communists or possible
Communists during the past year.
Figures are not available, but
there can be no doubt that many
persons have been executed dur
ing the past year. And the extent
of secret police activity is re-
f1ected by the patent unwilling
ness of most Chinese to discuss
politics-even, apparently, among
themselves.
At the same time, it is probably
true that the .generalissimo has
succeeded to a considerable extent
in softening the attitude of the
Formosa population toward the
mainland Chinese.
Needs Economic Aid
Only a year ago, the sentiment
of the local people toward the
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. they general
ly regarded as cruel plunderers-
could only be described as hatred.
Today the Nationalist are &C
cepted, and, however, little choice
the Formosans may have had in
this decision. they appear to be
content enough.
1t appears that only greatly in
creased American aid can save
Vormosa's economy, which, al
'hough now in much healthier
state than year ago, cannot
continue to support the entire
Nationalist regime indefinitely.
Formosa is lushly prosperous
island, but it's position today is
that of a province asked to meet
(see FoRMOsA. Page C-5J