Cuba after the Spanish American War, Taiwan after WWII
Points of Comparison
Basic Parameters
| Cuba | ITEM | Taiwan | notes |
| Cuba | location | Formosa and the Pescadores | |
| less than 1 million | population | in excess of 5 million | |
| Spanish American War | war | WWII | |
| Spain | enemy | Japan | |
| USA | victorious country | USA | |
| yes | "cession by conquest" | yes | |
| USA | primary military forces in theatre | USA | |
| USA | nationality of Supreme Commander | USA | |
| 1898.07.17 in Cuba | date of surrender of enemy forces | 1945.10.25 in Taiwan | |
| interim status | status under military occupation | interim status |
Period of belligerent occupation
| Cuba | ITEM | Taiwan | notes |
| 1898.07.17 to 1899.02.06 | dates of belligerent occupation | 1945.10.25 to 1952.04.28 | |
| independent customs area under USMG | status after surrender of enemy troops and during period of belligerent occupation | ----------> | should be considered as an independent customs area under USMG |
| no | transfer of sovereignty | no | |
| USA flag | flag flown during period of belligerent occupation | ----------> | according to international law, should be USA flag |
| to USA | allegiance of local populace during period of belligerent occupation | ----------> | according to international law, should be to USA |
| USMG | principal occupying power | USMG | administrative authority for the occupation of Formosa and the Pescadores was delegated to ROC military forces |
| yes | sovereignty held in trust by USMG | yes |
Period of friendly occupation, (also called "civil affairs administration of a military government")
| Cuba | ITEM | Taiwan | notes |
| 1899.02.06 to 1902.05.20 | dates of friendly occupation | 1952.04.28 to <today>- | |
| Treaty of Paris | Peace treaty | San Francisco Peace Treaty | |
| 1899.02.06 | coming into effect of the peace treaty | 1952.04.28 | |
| yes | "limbo cession" by peace treaty | yes | |
| no | transfer of sovereignty at coming into force of peace treaty | no | |
| yes | under international law, occupation continues after coming into force of the peace treaty | yes | |
| USMG | principal occupying power | USMG | administrative authority for the occupation was delegated to ROC military forces |
| unincorporated territory under USMG | international status during period of friendly occupation, which is the "civil affairs administration of a military government" | ----------> | according to the US Constitution, Taiwan is fully qualified to be unincorporated territory under USMG |
| USA flag | flag flown during "interim status" civil affairs administration of military government | ----------> | should be USA flag |
| to USA | allegiance of local populace during "interim status" civil affairs administration of military government | ----------> | should be to USA |
| yes | sovereignty held in trust by USMG | yes | |
| USA nationality | High Commissioner | ----------> | a USA nationality civilian high commissioner should be appointed |
| yes | island citizens have fundamental rights under the US Constitution | ----------> | Taiwan people are entitled to these rights |
Final status
| Cuba | ITEM | Taiwan | notes |
| 1902.05.20 | end of United States Military Government | (none announced) | |
| yes | final status achieved? | not yet | |
| Republic of Cuba | final status determination | ----------> | remains in "interim status" under USMG |
Conclusion: Taiwan is undetermined, unorganized, unincorporated territory of the United States Military Government, and currently in "interim status."