Therefore, we have asked all of you to come here to discuss the matter with us today. In a little while, the head of the police and the magistrate will speak with you to explain the benefits of our plan. After our talks, we hope that none of you will be afraid to put your seal on this contract. Our company is prepared to pay higher prices than usual for your land." His speech was translated into Taiwanese by our fifth grade teacher, Mr. Chen. He especially empahzied the terms plot conspiracy, to frighten the townspeople.

     The next person to stand up and speak was the head of the police, Mr. Pu Da Ren. As soon as he stood up on the table, his sharp eyes swept over the crowd, and when he started his speech, he was nearly shouting. "As Mr. Yamaura has just explained, the plan of the sugar company si solely for the benefit of this village. Think about it. If you sell your land to the company for a good price, think about how much money you'll get. At the same time, the company will establish a model farm?which will make our village famous. Tourist will be attracted to our village, and our village will prosper day by day. You should consider this an honor, - 74 - and everyone should thank the Sugar Company. However, there are people in this village who are, at this very moment, secretly plotting against the Sugar Company. What is wrong with you? This plan is entirely for the benefit of this village. At the same time, it may be considered as 'national policy.' Those who are against our national policy are not 'our people' and they will not be forgiven."

     His interpreter was policeman Lin. Like Mr. Chen, he emphasized the words "plot", "non-citizen", and "unforgiveable". Everyone stared at each other in fear. People vividly remembered the way those who rebelled, such as Mr. Yu Qingfeng, were subsequently put to death by the Japanese.

     The last speaker was the magistrate. He was a well-known man. People used to call him Mr. Good. He spoke in a warm soft-spoken wat- -"In conclusion, I think it would be good for allof you to follow the wishes of our director and wholeheartly accept the good gestures of the sugar company." Having said this, he brought out a book and started calling people's names out loud. The first man to be called thought he was being accused of negotiating the conspiracy plot. When the police shouted at him that he was allowed to go home, he was still afraid to move. After the

police shouted at him a second time, he got up and ran out the back door. On the way home he was still trembling; thinking that he might be called back. About eighty people's names were called and they were dismissed from the meeting. These were the people that didn't own land in the designated area.