Came across this "Proposal for a Formosa Studies Program, with Comment" that George H. Kerr sent to Cheng-mei Shaw (蕭成美) on March 22, 1971. (h/t Dr. Hidekazu Sensui for sharing the scans from the Okinawa Prefectural Archives)
I record here, for your consideration, some alternative possibilities and ideas concerning a Formosa studies program.
These suggestions are made on the assumption that you will have between $25,000 and $30,000 to spend annually, for a period of five years, and that you are seeking a means to stimulate serious academic support for research and publication.
I. A "Formosa Studies Center", per se.
Under present inflationary conditions it would not be possible to establish a separate "Formosa Studies Center" in an important university for $30,000 annually. Salaries, operating costs, library acquisitions, and overhead must all be considered. (The Berkeley (U.C.) China Studies Center operates on an annual $250,000 budget, subsidized principally by the Ford Foundation.)
II. A "Formosa Studies Program" Within an Established China Studies Center or Department
The question of "Formosa" as distinct from "Chinese" studies rises at once. The introduction of a privately subsidized program within an established academic program would be difficult. University administrations must insist on the academic qualifications and standards applied throughout the institution, and preserve at least the appearance of "objectivity." The "Formosa"-"China" distinction at once takes on a political character at the present time.
III. Grants in Support of Formosa Studies Specialists
It may be feasible to offer scholarship or fellowship funds to an established academic research center or department with the proviso that they be used to support individual scholars seriously involved in Formosan studies. On the one hand, there could be no strings attached nor overt attempts to influence the recipients, and on the other, the continuity of the subsidy must be guaranteed for a specific period.
A variant on this would be the offer of scholarship support across the country, wherever first-rate graduate students are found whose faculty sponsors recommend them for grants. This, however, would inevitably expose them to charges of "bias" or of being "bought," no matter what the subject or the tenor of their conclusions might be.
IV. Support for a Formosan Specialist at Faculty Level
There may be faculties interested in having Dr. Peng Ming-min or other fully qualified specialists join them as Visiting Professors (in History, or Political Science, Law, etc.). If it were known that half the salaries or the full salaries would be met for a guaranteed period, there is some possibility here. With increasing public debate of the China issue, there is certain to be a rising interest in Formosa's role in it.
Since the bottom salary for a full professor at a major university is now say $20,000, this would mean a surplus available for an "outside" (non-university) secretary or aide.
V. An Independent Information Center and Publications Program
Failing a formal establishment within a university program, it might be useful to create a base adjacent to a major university (Ann Arbor, Palo Alto, Berkeley) at which a well-qualified staff would undertake to gather together accurate data, reproduce it in usable form and make it available to academic centers, political leaders, editors, etc.--the molders of public opinion.
This is definitely and obviously weaker and more vulnerable than a formal academic setup, but could perform a useful function. It will be identified as a "Formosa Lobby", and will be equated with the KMT "China Information Service". Nevertheless, by maintaining the highest possible standards of accuracy and candor, it would have a chance to win recognition and respect. It would certainly fill a need.
Among its services would be a clearing-house agency for public speakers on the subject of Formosa and the Formosan Question. It could undertake to print up the full texts, synopses, digests or summaries of academic theses and dissertations concerning Formosa, giving them a circulation they do not ordinarily have and cannot expect.
To some extent this would overlap the function of the present Independent Formosa, and some understanding would have to be reached on this. It must establish an immediate reputation for accuracy and avoid obviously slanted material. It might produce occasional analyses of the present Taipei government, with accurate statistics and notes on Formosan leaders who must be considered in negotiations on the Formosan Question. It must present the case for Formosan leadership rather than attempt to denigrate or attack Nationalist leaders (that task will be done by others, I am sure, once the big debate begins).
A staff of two principals plus secretarial help could make a useful contribution. It is possible that some research projects could be farmed out to Formosan and other graduate students scattered over the country. Since all non-citizens are vulnerable these days, it would be an advantage to have the staff consist of American citizens, with one perhaps a naturalized Formosan and the other a native-born American. Both should have wide experience in the handling of research materials.
I'd be interested to know what became of this proposal. The University of Washington has an oral history interview of Cheng-mei Shaw (also known as Seng-bi Shaw) from 2017 that might mention this; I'll have to check that. I believe Shaw did support some Taiwan-related programs at various universities, but I can't find information on that right now. Any help would be appreciated!
Source of proposal: Okinawa Prefectural Archives, Folder GHK2G01001.
P.S. I'm struck by Kerr's comment that "all non-citizens are vulnerable these days"--we seem to be in the same situation nowadays.
