The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-02-05
By ALEX JACKINSON

Chang continued to walk along the wide water
front Of Shanghai. He eyed the tiny bamboo sail
boats, which swayed in the waters. While on the
banks stood wharf coolies dressed in rags inn
portuning passersby to bid wicker basket of fresh
ly caught fish These scenes held no interest for
Chang. He merely looked for while and
turned his attention elsewhere. He found HIM
self walking through labyrinth Of winding Streets
lined on both sides by low bamboo dwellings where
the Chinese workers lived. Suspended under gaudv
banners hung paper lanterns fastened on to long
poles An ARENA Of cooking rice reached his nos
trils Here bare-headed urchins such as he PLAYED
in the roads. Some extended their palms to trous-
cred women wearing long blue jackets as they
waddled by. Other streets were lined with stalls
where tourists come to haggle over mantlepiees
cuTios.
Chang reached the beginning Of the French
Bund. Here the streets were paved and we'll cleaned
in contrast TO the dusty roads he Just came FROM
Vel dressed foreigners and Chinese merchants at
tired in silk garments rode in rickshaws pushed by
sweating coolies. Chang took silent notice of the
difference and walked until he reached the public
gardens. Near the entrance two Sikh policemen
chasing several Chinese. The public gardens
is park where Chinese are allowed to enter
unless it is nurse with foreign children.
Like all Chinese Chang deeply hated the sikh
policemen who imported from India by the
English. He avoided walking the park and
instead turned into Nankin Road, Shanghais lead
ing thoroughfare. Here he gazed into brightly dis
played windows. But even these scenes failed to
attract his interest. He kept walking along with
out taking notice of the busily congested street.
The muItitudes which swarmed both sides Of the
road suddenly stopped to gaze down the street from
whence came the changing of street bells once
The brightly painted trans rolled up the
street, for the first time since the strike began,
but did not stop for passengers as usual The cars
gaily decorated by rridescent flags. The work.
took the from the barn to celebrate their
victory before resuming work.
Down Marking. Road came the chain Of cars fol-
lowed by workers foot. AS the cars passed
tain points, sympathizers of the victorious strikers
set up shout of joy. 1t was Labor's Holiday and
thousands of workers from other trades joined the
procession. In their midst walked students carry
ing Down with Imperialism" banners.
Suddenly the cars ceased TO move. For few
seconds the workers were puzzled as to what hap
pened. But not for long, Word soon reached the
paraders that the company had purposely shut off
power to bar their demonstration. The women in
stantly stepped out Of the cars which were left
stranded midways in the street. and held a hur-
ried meeting. They decided to march to the COM
pany and there hold demonstration. Before
long the strikers swarmed down Marking Road head
ed for the international Settlement, where since
the land regulations, no Chinese were allowed to
enter.
Through neighoboring streets, poured sympa-
thzers in ever increasing numbers which soon swell
ed the multitude to a huge mass The roadways be-
clogged with milling people rolling along like
an avalanche of humanity. From all corners they
came hatless and shouting, but eager to show their
newly discovered strength Wheel chairs were left
in the streets as their drivers joined the moving
columns.
Shop keepers withdrew their window displays
fearing the wrath of the workers The sea Of hui
mainly continued to roll onward. sweeping pedes-
trians off the sidewalks. Others darted quickly
into Railways.
Chang felt himself being carried along. His lit
tie flew wildly in the air, open-mouthed he
gasped as he found himself pressed tight in the
midst of the crowd
The entire force of the hated Sikh policemen
arrayed at strategic corners. In their grasp
long bamboo sticks with which they pounded
the heads Of the workers. Arms reached out and
caught the ends of the sticks instantly other work
edged closer until they wFested the weapons from
mercenaries were forced to retreat.
The great demonstration did not subside until
the treadng of heavy feet heard in the distance