The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-05-20

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fire.
A Streak Of Luck.
BY sheer good luck the vessel drift
ed past the point where the pirates
had intended to beach her In this the
robbers made their only miscalcula-
ton, for the tide, which is very tricky,
was still on the ebb; not on the flood
as the pirates had calculated.
Those aboard firmly contend that
this was the only thing which prevent
ed the vessel falling into the hands of
the attackers. BY this time the San
Ming (the second vessel in the con-
voy) had managed to turn back, and
the bandits realized that the game was
up, for both vessels had negotiated
the most dangerous part Of the river.
Those pirates who were aboard
plunged headlong into the river, where
they were a mark for rifles and the
machine gun on the ship. At least
nine were killed outright, their bodies
floating down the river, while it is
asserted that many more were
wounded.
The desperados from the ship hav-
ing reached the shore, a terrific fire
was opened by their companions on
the bank. One lady passenger on the
San Ming, who had taken refuge in her
cabin, was shot thru the head and
killed instantly, while, in spite of the
fact that everyone on the vessels had
sought covor, seven others were
wounded.
Steam was again raised on the "Tai
Lee" and both vessels made their way
to Hongkong, where rigorous search
was conducted without anything in
eliminating being discovered on any
of the "Tai Lees" 600 passengers.
Where the Blame Lies.
Many individual stories are related
of hairs breadth escapes, but the
foregoing is, in brief, the story of the
latest piracy near Hongkong. Even
tho the pirates were on this occasion
repulsed they robbed a number of
passengers before plunging overheard.
For such outrages as this, which is
only one among dozens, those en-
gagged in the arms traffic must be held
to blame.
That much of this nefarious trade
is conducted from America is GER
tain, for the seizures of arms on Amer
lean ships in Hongkong have been
numerous and large.
Get into conversation with any
Chinese Seamen's Union official, and
he will tell you that Chinese seafarers
pay huge sums in cumshaw for the
privilege of working on the China
America run. That the venture proves
profitable is shown by the number
who retire after few years.
But what of those who supply the
arms in America, and of those others
who, in cases bearing general mer-
chandise marks, export huge consign-
ments of arms and munitions to
China? There is an arms embargo
agreement, but in spite of that oficial
statistics indicate that there are over
100000 armed men In China. In
this huge number no account is taken
of the tens of thousands of pirates
and bandits who make comfortable
living by preying on the populace.
Who, then, supplies them? Certainly
not Chinese arsenalsi
The fact Of the matter is that huge
fortunes are being made out of this
illicit traffic, and there is a decided
suspicion that reputable" firms, thru
their Chinese compradores. are max
ing immense profits by supplying any
one who has the ready cash to pay.
When we have repetition of the
Boxer outrages-of which there seems
distinct possibility-the blame must
rest on those who supply the arms.
PeIf For Blood.
The debt of blood will no doubt
again be collected in pelf, affording
but another opportunity for the ex-
ploitation of the people who, as a ma
ton, are entirely innocent.
Were the foreign governments but
honest in their protestations a stop
would be soon put to the whole bust
ness; and, did they so desire, the
Powers, without much trouble, could
lay by the heels those in the game.
But the capitalist is playing hand
which is centuries old-he gets his
cut both WAYS.