Formosa, Subject to Top U. S.
Talks, Described by Visitor
Editor's Note: Formosa, last stand of the Chinese Nation
alists against the Red tide. Is a military stronghold reports
John Sehon of the United Press, who put in a erm there as
a naval officer. He was sent in to help liberate allied pris
oners of war who were taken when the Japanese had con
trol of the island.
By JOHN SEHON
New York Jan. 3 OJ.PJ Formosa, Nationalist China's last hope
for life, is a fairyland with all modern conveniences, a proven
breadbasket of empire, and a barely-tapped storehouse of stra-
terrComaaUmilitar?Ustandpoint, the 200-mile long Island is vlrtu-
ally unassailable with weapons
which Communist China, en
trenched on the mainland 100
miles to the west, now has.
But, unless governmental
conditions have undergone a
drastic change since I was there
four years ago, the island that
Is the last barrier to Communism
in the Far East could be col
lapsed easily by the age-old
Chinese plague, internal dissension.
W 'A
Thanks to the Japanese, how
ever, Chiang Kai-shek has a
ready-made, highly developed
fortress from which to fight.
For during its 50-year ten
ure, the Japanese turned a
npst-ridden sub-tropical island
inln one of the most progres
sive agricultural and industrial
areas of the Orient.
I was amazed to find Formosa,
developed in almost complete se
crecy by the Japanese, to be
virtually self-sustaining.
About the only thing which
must be imported, if the Jap
anese level of production is to
be maintained, is phosphate for
fertilization of the rice crop.
And as a place to live, it has
no equal, by eastern standards.
It has modern cities, railroads,
highways, resorts and could be
turned into a tourists' paradise.
The scenery is superb.
Heavily-forested mountains top
13.000 feet. Gorges on the pre
cipitous eastern coast drop 7,000
feet to sea level.
Within easy commuting dis
tance of the capital, Taipeh, are
luxurious hot springs. Cottages
dot the mountains, each with
its own private spa.
Before and during the war,
the island was Japan s mam
grocery store. Rice, sugar, pine
apples, salt, fruits, tobacco and
other commodities were furnish
ed to the homeland.
Japan's largest aluminum
plant was on Formosa. It was
bombed out, but the intricate
electric power transmission sys
tem and its great hydro-electric
sources were untouched.
Bombers also did considerable
damage to the main cities, Tai-
nch. Takao and its fine namor.
Keelung, which has one of the
best man-made harbors in the
east, and others. But the founda
tions of modern civic planning
are there for rebuilding.
In Taipeh, for example, for
eigners can use water for drink
ing right out of the tap. I his
is a sanitary luxury unknown
even in modern Shanghai, where
all water must be boiled to
guard against dysentery.
Lying about 500 miles north
of the Philippines and 300 miles
southeast of Okinawa, Formosa
also- could control the sea lanes
and costal airways so vital to
China's life.
Keelung at the northern tip
and Takao in the south can han
dle the largest ships of peace,
or war. In addition the Japan
ese built more than 50 airfields
throughout the island.
Any full-scale military opera
tion other than airborne aganist
the island could be conducted
only on its western, or Formosa
Straits side. There broad plains
sweep down gradually to the
sea. The east side rises abrupt
ly from the Pacific in mountain
ranges which reach almost 14,-
000 feet.
The Japanese thoughtfully
fortified the western costal ap
proaches with underground bas
tions which controlled just
about every potential landing
spot.
And this whole fertile west
ern plain which runs the island's
entire length is connected by
railroads and highways.
Physically, it would be a
tough nut to crack from the outside.
Enemies might hope to work
from within.
Most of the 6,500,000 inhabi
tants are hincsc in origin.
However, since the war, and
tants are Chinese in origin.
China's return as administrator
various Formosan factions which
it ij,U f
Cnpilnt Journal. Salem, Oregon, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 1950 3
Swiss President Max Petit
pierre (above), Foreign Min
ister, was elected President of
the Swiss Confederation by
the National Council, and
Council of States in Bern.
worn WpM tipMlv suDnressed by
the Japanese have agitated for
a so-called independence.
Tn nnnvprsat.inn lust at War S
end, Formosan leaders said that
the greatest desire of the peo
ple was for a "free" country.
They were overjoyed, however,
at the thought of returning to
"Mother China.
After the first Chinese admin
istration had been in command
for little more than a month,
these same leaders said to me:
"Why don't our people (the
fhinnijnl tn hank home? TheV
l-i n vp lir int. the rice rationing
system; they have changed our
monetary structure; we aon i
nnlnrltanH nil thPKP nCW taXeS
we are not free. Why doesn't
Dip United States look after us;
This was their reaction to
t-ininf trnn inri like anv other Chi-
nnso nrnvinne. coverned bv ad
ministrators appointed irom
"nnlciHp" and not-being eiven
too much voice in the running of
their own affairs.
Kirk to "See" Russia
Moscow, Jan. 3 VP) U.S. Am
bassador Alan G. Kirk plans to
make his second trip in the So
viet union this week. Accom
panied by Mrs. Kirk, the ambas
sador plans to go to Leningrad
to see various tourist attractions.
They expert o return to Mos
cow next week.
Ill north liberty
e br
een Stamp
ay
WEDNESDAY
Foundation Garment Clearance
Famous name foundation garments and girdles in broken size assort
ments reduced to amazingly low prices for this event.
GROUP 1
Famous Name Foundation Garments
With inner belt-built up shoulders heavily boned lace bust
regular 8.95
SPECIAL SALE PRICE
$1.88
GROUP 2
Famous Name Foundation Garments
With Back Lacing, medium lengths, heavily boned, front clasp, broken sizes,
regula' 4.95
SPECIAL SALE PRICE
$1.88
i
GROUP 3
Famous Name Girdles
With Elastic Control Feature Short and Medium Lengths White only
Small end medium sizes regular 2.95
SPECIAL SALE PRICE
99c
If 7 norllk liberty
FIRST IN 1950!
DOUBLE STAMPS
Girls' Coats
9.88
Values to $16.95
Coverts tweeds
Beautiful styles
DOUBLE STAMPS
Shower Curtain
Sets
3.95
9 Shower curtain and
drapes
0 Lovely color combina
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Ladies' Raincoats
9.99
Values to $24.95
Hooded styles
Various colors
DOUBLE STAMPS
Men's Work Sox
29c
Port wool
Light boot sox
C 49c value
DOUBLE STAMPS
Boys' Sport Shirts
99c
Fancy patterns
Values to $1.98
Various styles
DOUBLE STAMPS
Ladies' Blouses
1.99
Values to $5.95
9 Broken sizes
Reduced to clear
DOUBLE STAMPS
Men's Polo Shirts
79c
Values to $2.95
Knit and terry
Fancy styles
DOUBLE STAMPS
Men's Jackets
9.99
Water repellent
Jenselite lined
Lightweight
ROBERTS BROS. FIRST IN 1950
GREEN STAMP WEDNESDAY
Thousands of crisp, snowy white sheets and cases for this
gigantic White Sale!
Slumber Queen Muslin Sheets, first quality, 81x108 $1.79
Pequot White Muslin Sheets, first quality, 81x108 2.69
Cannon Crest Muslin Sheets, seconds, 81x108 1.99
Cannon Colored Muslin Sheets, seconds, 81x108 2.49
Cannon White Percale Sheets, first quality, 81x108. 2.69
Thickly Tufted Waffle Chenille Spread, reg. $6.95 4.95
ROBERTS BROS. FIRST IN 1950
GREEN STAMP WEDNESDAY
SPECIAL
MISSES7 AND WOMEN'S
COATS
VALUES
TO
$29.95
EACH
A double value sensation glorious coats at the time you want them and at
the low Roberts Bros, price you want to pay. Don't delay seeing them
buying them. They set a new record for value.
COATS WE'VE BEEN SELLING AT $24.95 AND $29.95!
Every single one of these coats is fine 100 wool and warmly interlined.
Your choice of tweed ond fleece fabrics! Greens, reds, browns, beiges, greys,
blacks. Sizes 10 to 20.
ROBERTS BROS. FIRST IN 1950
GREEN STAMP WEDNESDAY
SPECIAL SALE
FIRST QUALITY
NYLO
$Hoo
PAIR
A tremendous special purchase of fine quality 51 gauge nylon hosiery in
sheer, sheer 15 denier and serviceable 30 .nicr weights for oiir greatest
double green stamp Wcdncsdoy is yours todny. First quality, famous name
nylons ot this low, low price.
DOUBLE STAMPS
Pillow Tubing
59C yd
Sturdy type 140
42 inch width
Regular 85c yd.
DOUBLE STAMPS
Colored
Nylon Panels
1.99
42x81 size
Five various colors
Regular $2.69
DOUBLE STAMPS
Girls'
Flight Boots
2.99
All white
Over the shoe boot
Regular $4.25
DOUBLE STAMPS
Ladies' Anklets
25c P,
Part wool
Regular 59c
Various colors all sizes
DOUBLE STAMPS
Ladies'
Knit Gowns
99c
Lace trimmed
O Pink & blue
9 All sizes
DOUBLE STAMPS
Ladies' Purses
1.44
Patents and plastics
Various styles
Limited quantify
DOUBLE STAMPS
Botany All-Wool
Gabardine
5.95
Yd.
Lovely spring color
Famous gabartwill
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DOUBLE STAMPS
Bendix Dryer
199.95
Fully automatic
1950 model
0 No down payment