사슈토 섬의 현재 상황 / C-3

SECRET 23 May 1950 CURRENT CONDITION IN SAISHUTO ISLAND. (C-3) The recent condition in the Island is summarized as follows: 1. Damages and Casualties Done by the Revolt and the Recent Economic Condition of the islanders. Damages and casualties in the Island done by the revolt in October 1948 are disclosed in the following figures made public by the government: The dead 27,719 persons The injured 1,044 persons The sufferers 78,534 persons Houses totally destroyed by fire 39,285 houses On 17 April 1950 in Seoul, Mr. KIN, Governor of Saishu Province, revealed the recent condition of the Island as follows: "Casualties in the Island done by the revolt were more serious than those made public by the government. After the revolt more than 400 villages have reduced to 170 ones. It was officially reported that 27,000 were killed. In fact, however, over 60,000 persons died. The total damage is estimated at scores of billions yen. The 400,000 population of the Island has reduced, to 300,000. 100,000 of whom are facing starvation. During the period from May 1949 to the present, over 2,000 persons starved to death. After the harvest in the fall of last year, the condition has, however, been somewhat improved. It is a question how 100,000 starving islanders will tide over the food shortage in the off-crop season. Though 100,000 koku of rice had been annually imported from the mainland, only 7,000 koku were imported in 1949. In order to establish a relief policy, the South Korean government, after late February 1950, dispatched an inspection group made up of ministries employees to the spot and is reportedly considering measures to be taken. Account Given by Secret Korean Entrants who Sought their Refuge in Japan. On 11 May 1950 over 50 secret Korean entrants were drifted ashore at Nakanagaya, Shirosauga town, Shizuoka Prefecture. All of them came from Saishuto Island. In order to escape from the present starvation plight in the revolt-affected Island, they firmly decided to take refuge in Japan by selling all their properties for making travel expenses of ¥ 30,000 - ¥ 35,000 per head. They had nothing but one or two changes of clothes respectively. [illegible] told [illegible] follows: From olden times the Island had few tracts of arable land and [illegible] entirely the Islanders lived by fisheries alone. As they have [illegible] nothing to eat they are forced to live on starch mixed with fruit and wild grasses. [illegible] were destroyed by the communist revolts. A small [illegible] the coast, there are neither [illegible] nor [illegible] medicine shortage since the communist invasion, Island, if the Islanders get ill, [illegible] Saishuto Island [illegible] is just a living hell. [illegible] as a base for the Communist Guerrillas in the South Korean Republic. [illegible] the general election was held on the Island, a violent [illegible] communist guerrillas made [illegible] from [illegible] the falsction [illegible] resigned from [illegible] the election on the Island to [illegible] held over again. [illegible] was elected [illegible] [illegible] submarines anchored at some ports [illegible] base of communist guerrillas. [illegible] that most organizers smuggling [illegible] by the communists of the Island. [illegible] on the Political Activities Regarding the Island [illegible] [illegible] the Communists invasion of Formosa at hand Gen. WU Tieh-[illegible] to ask the South Korean government to lend air-bases to the Nationatists. Though the Korean government denied such fact, he seems to have asked for the permission of establishing air-bases in Jinsen and Saishuto Island. It is, however, not yet known how the South Korean government replied to his request. Meanwhile, a Japanese who had recently a narrow escape from Saishuto Island said that an air-base is under construction there.