| [ I N S C R I P T I O N ]
In 1945, when the news of Japanese
defeat and surrender reached Taiwan, the Taiwanese people were overjoyed that the unfair
and unjust colonial rule had come to an end. But soon the Taiwanese people were surprised
to find that Chen Yi, the newly appointed Governor of Taiwan had no understanding of
Taiwan and its people. He instituted unfair policies that discriminated against the
Taiwanese people. To make matters worse, Chen and his officials were undisciplined and
corrupt. As a result, production and consumption lost balance, and unemployment and
inflation skyrocketed. The people's resentment was mounting and fast reaching a boiling
point.
On 27 February 1947, while
investigating sales of illicit tobacco on Yen-Ping North Road, Taipei, officials of the
Taiwan Tobacco and Wine Monopoly Bureau beat up and injured a female vendor. Then they
opened fire, killing an innocent bystander. The public was outraged. The next day,
citizens of Taipei took to the streets and demonstrated. They marched to the Governor's
Office and appealed for the immediate punishment of the murderers. In response, shots were
fired at the demonstrators and several were killed or wounded. This triggered a furious
island-wide protest and struggle against the regime. In order to resolve the disputes and
to calm the people's growing anger, leaders from communities around the island began
setting up committees to mediate between the protesters and the government. At the same
time, they demanded immediate political reform.
Chen Yi was insensitive and responded
with highhandedness and treachery. On the one hand he negotiated with the committees and,
on the other, he treated the leaders as if they were thugs and traitors and asked Nanking
for troops. Upon receiving Chen's report, the Chairman of the National Government in
Nanking, Chiang Kai-shek, immediately ordered the dispatch of troops. On 8 March 1947, the
21st Division under the command of General Liu Yu-ching landed in Keelung. On
10 March, martial law was declared in the whole of Taiwan. Ke Yuan-fen, the chief of staff
of the Taiwan Garrison Command; Shih Hong-hsi, the commander of Keelung District; Peng
Meng-chi, the commander of Kaoshiung District; Chang Mu-tai, the commander of a military
police regiment; and others started brutal "cleansing of the countryside."
During the subsequent crackdowns and purges, many innocent people were implicated. Within
a few months, the number of deaths, injured and missing persons reached tens of thousands.
Keelung, Taipei, Chiayi, and Kaohsiung suffered the highest casualties. This incident has
become known as the 228 Massacre.
Since then, the Taiwanese people were
under prolonged martial law for nearly half a century. Both those in the government and
the general public were forcibly silenced; no one dared touch upon this taboo subject -
the 228 Massacre. However, the grievances and resentment against this atrocity continued
to rankle and it was felt necessary to confront this problem openly before healing could
take place. Mistrust between Taiwanese and mainlanders, and the argument on whether Taiwan
should declare independence or be united with China, have become hot issues with
potentially worrisome implications. After the lifting of the Martial Law in 1987, people
in all walks of life feel that there would be no hope for peace and harmony unless the
deep-rooted malaise was properly addressed. Accordingly, investigation and research into
the 228 Massacre were started; the Head of State issued a public apology; the victims and
their families were compensated; and a monument was erected. However, the task of healing
a serious trauma in a society must depend on the whole-hearted collaborative effort by all
its people. We have, therefore, inscribed these words on this memorial plaque in the hope
of consoling the spirits of the victims and comforting their grieving families. It is also
hoped that these words will serve as a warning and a lesson to all Taiwanese compatriots.
Henceforward, we must be one, no matter which communal group we belong; we must help each
other with compassion and treat each other with sincerity; we must dissolve hatred and
resentment, and bring about long lasting peace. May Heaven bless Taiwan and keep it
evergreen.
Erected and Inscribed by the
Trustees of the 228 Memorial Foundation
28 February 1997 |
The
228 Massacre Monument