本文的目的，是要透過賀田組於政、商之間錯雜的關係，以政商的發展為觀點，來探討日本殖民統治的本質；並透過賀田組在東臺灣的拓墾，探討其對日後臺灣東部發展的影響。 透過史料的排比分析，本文可以得到如下的結論。第一、以經營之性格而言，賀田組之政商性格顯而易見。第二、由清末以來東部開發史的觀點來看，開發需要資金、移民政策、治安、交通等因素的配合，此分非短期可以期待者。賀田組的拓墾事業之所以無法成力，與客觀因素無法配合是最大原因。然而，由於有賀田組的前仆、繼起的官營移民及伴隨而來的水利開發等，打下了花東地區農業開發的基礎。而賀田組出身者，也成為日治時期地方社會的主要領導人。賀田也因開拓臺東之功，受到正面的肯定。其三、總督府獨厚日本人的作法，阻礙了漢人的入墾及東部的開發。在這種以日本人為開發主體的構相下實施的政策，使得臺灣人必須屬在日本人之下，以佃農或者苦力的身份，方得以定居生活。在農業社會下，結果便是限制臺灣人在部生存發展的空間。換句話說，政、商密切關連的現實下，形成東臺灣的利權掌握在特定日本人之手中，阻礙了日治時期東臺灣進一步發展的可能。

This paper examines the essence of Japanese colonization in the light of the complicated relationship between the political and business sectors and discusses the impact of the exploration schemes initiated by Katagumi on the development of east Taiwan. Analyses of historical materials led to conclusions as follows. First, in terms of administration characteristics, Katagumi showed obvious features of a political-merchant. Second, the development of east Taiwan from the late 19th century depended heavily on factors such as capital, immigration policy, social order and transportation. It was the lack of support from these factors that the exploration schemes of Katagumi failed. Nevertheless, Katagumi had laid the ground for further development which was finally realized by subsequent immigration of officials and the irrigation projects they implemented. During Japanese colonization, people from Katagumi were main social leaders of east Taiwan’s society. The contribution of Katakinsaburou to the development of east Taiwan had also won himself merit and recognition. Third, the Government-General of Taiwan favored the Japanese more than the natives. This has affected the livelihood of the Han and their development in the east. In other words, the close relationship between the political elite and the merchants resulted in favoritism towards the Japanese and restricted the possibility for native Taiwanese to develop the east under Japanese rule.