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28/10/2007: "TAIWAN DEMOCRACY MEMORIAL MUSEUM ...... Notes:1946"
Extracts of the 1946 United Nations report on Taiwan situations. By Ed Paine
"Another ineffective measure is the announcement of the death penalty for all hoarders of rice and flour. The amounts for warranting death for the private sector are in the neighborhood of 300 tons of rice and 150 tons of flour". (1 July 1946, Page 80)
The banks couldn’t cash cheques, and were on the verge of going broke. The currency was devaluing fast creating a shortage of paper money. The government couldn’t print new notes quickly enough. People were putting their money into goods in place of cash-in-bank with risk of the death penalty.
This was the warm-up to civil unrest and a harsh crack-down, known today as the February 28 1947 massacre (aka 228 massacre) when the out-of-control military in jeeps machine-gunned anyone on the streets - throughout the nation. Dangerous times indeed.
Meanwhile in 1946 cholera was brought to the island from mainland by passengers or crew from coastal boats. It began at the southern port of Tainan. Keep in mind that about 50% of Taiwan was already in ruins from American bombing of the former Japanese ports and factories, hospitals etc.
"The epidemic is spreading up and down the coast and then to the inland villages and cities. The absence of adequate medical and nursing care in the hospitals is causing families not to report illness until patients are nearly dead. …..fatality rate is 65 to 70%". (Page 92)
"The first stop (in Ed Paine's visit) was at Tainan population 150,000. This city was badly bombed during the war and has serious housing and sanitation problems. The first cholera cases on 26 April. The city is the centre of the epidemic.
The nursing activities here were concentrated on the Isolation Hospital which is located on the outskirts of the city. It was obvious that the cholera patients did not readily come to the hospital because up to that date the greater percentage of those admitted had died.
Nursing and medical care was practically non-existent; the isolation techniques very indefinite and quite inadequate.
Patients were found laying on soiled grass mats on the floor, their clothing heavy with body discharge. Relations crouched around the wards with their charcoal stoves, containers of food and bundles of clothing. Latrines were indescribably dirty and there was no screening anywhere. (Page 101).
On the whole the situation is quite discouraging. There is a decided lack of initiative and active interest on the part of government officials as well as medical personnel. Elaborately drawn plans are presented at long and fruitless conferences but no one is willing to take the initial step towards carrying out those plans. Recommendations are graciously accepted but it remains to be seen to what extent they will be carried out". (Page 102)
