二二八事件期間縣市首長的角色與肆應

Roles and Reactions of Local Government Officials towards 228 Incident

本文旨在探討各縣市首長於二二八事件爆發之際，如何看待民眾的抗爭？事件期間作了什麼防範措施？扮演何種角色？事件後又是如何自處？希望藉此對戰後初期臺灣各縣市首長在二二八事件中的角色與因應態度有更適切而周延的了解。戰後接收之初，臺灣省行政長官公署延用日治時期的行政區劃，將5州3廳11州廳轄市改為8縣9市，並分別設置州廳接管委員會，辦理各項接管事宜。繼於1946年1月成立各縣市政府、派定縣市首長人選，次第推動各項地方行政事務。這些縣市首長以福建省籍者居多，或曾留學日本，或曾在中國國民黨黨政班、臺幹班受訓，甚至不少曾任縣市首長，就學歷、資歷而言，可說皆是一時之選。惟接收後不到一年半，即因查緝私煙而爆發二二八事件。事件期間，抗爭民眾高呼「打倒貪官污吏」等口號，攻擊詞意甚劇，可見行政長官公署暨縣市首長的施政作為，普遍未得到民眾的認同。而各縣市首長或積極折衝協調，或訴諸軍事鎮壓，或與二二八事件處理委員會合作，或與處理委員會相對抗，以致各地受創情況差距頗大。事件後，部分縣市首長或續任，或調任他職，或自請辭職等，地方縣市首長人事再度大幅更動，對地方政務之推動實影響頗大。當然，集軍、政大權於一身的行政長官陳儀，因施政不當、用人不明，造成社會亂象，應負起更大的責任，因此於1947年4月請辭臺灣省行政長官兼警備總司令。儘管如此，從行政長官到各縣市首長，並無一人因為二二八事件的爆發與擴大受到懲處，亦可見政府當局對該事件的態度。

This article explores the roles and reactions of mayors and magistrates during the outbreak of the 228 Incident through examining how these local government officials responded towards people's resistance, what preventive measures were undertaken, and how they reacted and adapted to the circumstances during and in the aftermath of the Incident In the early years after the Nationalist Government took over control of Taiwan, the Chief Executive Office of Taiwan Province adopted the administrative divisions implemented during the Japanese colonial era. A committee was established to handle the takeover. Following January 1946, local government officials were selected. However, most of them were originated from Fujian Province, had studied in Japan, or had received training from the Kuomintang (KMT). They were considered top-notch in terms of their educational background and working experience. Nevertheless, in less than 18 months after the takeover, the 228 Incident broke out due to the confiscation of contraband cigarettes. During the Incident, the demonstrators shouted provocative slogans 'Down with corrupt officials.' It was clear that the actions and policies of the government officials did not receive universal support or recognition from the people. In face of growing resistance, the government officials adopted different strategies including active intervention and negotiation, military repression, collaboration or confrontation with the 228 Settlement Committee. Nevertheless, the conflict between the people and the government further intensified with serious repercussions. In the aftermath of the Incident, some local officials continued their terms of office, others were relocated or stepped down voluntarily. The upheaval in administrative personnel undermined the implementation of government policies. Beyond doubt, Chen Yi, who flaunted his superior martial and political power, should bear the greater blame for causing the social turmoil due to his inappropriate administration and hiring decisions. Subsequently, he resigned from the position as the Chief Executive and Garrison Commander of Taiwan in April 1947. Nonetheless, neither Chen Yi nor any local government officials were penalized for the outbreak and spread of the Incident, reflecting the official stance of the authorities concerned toward the 228 Incident.