The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-02-24

NeISlly OF minnesota.
We publish the letter, not because
we are in agreement with it, but be-
cause it shows the trend of thought
among a section Of the American
clericals who have been "civilizing"
the Chinese. As first hand account
Of impressions produced among this
class by the great upheaval in China
it is an interesting document. (Edi-
torial NOte.)
SHANGHAI, January rs, 1927.
Things are moving in China, but
whence no one knows. There are a
few predictions made by some of the
Chinese, but these are largely found
ed on hopes. Writers of articles in
America and England speak as if
they know, but none of their con-
illusions satisfy me. With most Of
them, their past experience and pre-
sent status, play larger part in the
forming Of their conclusions than any
investigation that they may have re-
Gently made. This is partly true Of
even liberal journalists, with whom I
would ordinarily have much in com
mon. The movement is so large that
we cannot tell what are all the forces
moving it, or at what angle they will
converge on a resultant-You see
remember my physics. | shall try
to avoid the prophetic role, therefore.
Frankly, l don't know what is going
to happen, and l don't believe that
any one else does. But / am joining
forces with the first group, that IS
the Chinese, and using their method,
| think there will be a New China.
Even Preachers See.
In today's paper, Eugene Chen of
the southern government says "Chi-
nese nationalism is an indestructible
and invincible force. We can all see
that a keen nationalism is emerging.
The literate classes in China, num-
boring about thirty or forty millions,
are more patriotic than they have
been for the last five years.
The student world is all Attire.
Three years ago it was largely stu
dent movement, but there is more
solid support now. The gentry and
chambers of commerce are joining in.
The heat, born out Of the continual
agitation, is also burning away some
Of the dross so long in official life,
and new type of government Off
cial is coming to the front. A trust
worthy administration is beginning.
1t does not comprise ali of the Of
ficials, but it makes up very in
fluential minority. The old type of
official, even though he is supported
by a large army, is rapidly losing
out before this new type. Some OF
them have faded away like paper IN
a flame. Today they are firmly en-
trenched, tomorrow they have fled TO
Japan.
Hate Britain.
Great Britain is the target of the
political movement, and has been ever
since the May Thirtieth Affair. She
is the Beelzebub among all the other
foreign devils, and is bitterly hated
by all the Chinese. Taking a long
view Of British policy, we must SYM
pathize with the attitude of the Chi
nese, but in recent years change
has taken place in British attitudes.
Or rather they have not been so i'm
perialistic in China as some other
powers. Notably Fra ice, and Japan.
The French have held up the pro-
visions Of the Washington confer
ence. SO have the Japanese in part.
The Shannon Affair in Canton, was
done by British and French. The
French were not blamed ut all.
The Shanghai strikes were begun
in Japanese mills, and the shooting
of the students was an International
Affair. All the powers ought to be
blamed equally. But as each one of
these and other incidents have oc-
Cured, the agitation that. followed
would center on the British. This
result has been secured by some
manipulation on the part of people
behind the scenes. 1t has served to
prevent the dissipation of the force
Of the movement.
AS l see it, the movement which
has been largely anti-British. could
with justice have been anti-foreign.
AS practical strategy, it has been eff
ficient.
Labor Movement Starts.
Intermixed with the political aspect
are other things. There is labor
movement beginning. This aims at
the usual things, but it's also patriotic
and anti-forelgn. The new govern
ment receives a lot Of its support
from the working classes. Factory
workers in China are small group.
There are perhaps half dozen fac
tory cities in the whole country. The
population is about fifteen per cent
urban.
There is a government department
to look after the interests Of the
farmers and laborers. But they are
not doing much for the farmers.
The laborers are entirely illiterate,
and any agitation easily stirs them