The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-08-14
On the
World Front
Drought in China
A Record of the Soviets
Rickshawmen Strike
BY HARRY CANNES

IN NEARLY every country
l of the world, outside of the
Soviet Union, the drought
will claim tens of thousands
Of lives, and unequaled misery
for all the toiling population.
For example, in China, the
classic land of droughtS, floods and
famineS, more than 100000 people
are starving to death in one PROV.
ince alone, Anwhei. The total fac
ing death by starvation in the en-.
tire country is well up in the mill
lions.
Yet in some portions of China
there may be a superabundance Of
food. But the cost of transporta-
ton, plus the heavy likin taxes, the
tax, the boat tax, the cars-
riers tax, makes it impossible tn
move the smallest morsel of foodA
to save the lives of the Chinese
peasants. Neither do Chang Kali
Shek nor the rich landlords WORRY
about the death of a couple of mil
lion peasants. There are other tens
Of millions of landless peasants who
will be moved into the areas Of
desolation, despoiled of whatever
crops they may produce, waiting
for the next catastrophe.
I'VE DO not here need to go into
" detail on the recognized victory
of the Soviet Union over the
drought. That is conceded now
by the most biased capitalist OBJ
The real story of this re-
markable feat of Socialist agricul-
ture is yet to be written.
But even in Soviet China, whers
Chang Kai-shek has modified
nearly 100000 soldiers in fero-
cious attempt to wipe out the So
VETS, splendid achievements were
accomplished in the fight for in
creased foodstuffs.
IN THE Central Soviet District,
Kiangsi, where the fighting is
the bitterest and hardest, the rice |
crop this year was increased $50
per cent.
The gain in rice production in
the Fukien- Chekiang -Kiangsi So
Wet districts Ga district that circles
the corners of these three prov
inces) was 200 per cent over the
last year.
Increases in other cereal produce
ton is even greater than rice. Fall
low land has been decreased
through intensive cultivation and
of land to the ls.ldless
peasants. More than 100000 NOV
(siX NOV equal one acre. of
sWampy land we're reclaimed last
year and put into cultivation
besides, there has been a revival
- of such industries as iron, clothes,
lime, paper, coal, tungsten, salt, oil
and drugs.
At the same time there is a great
stimulation Of the cooperative move
ment. More than 100000 members
have been recruited in the various
co-operatives.
Quite out of keeping with Roose-
velt'S a. A. A. program, and fol-
lowing in the footsteps of the So
Wet Unions program in agriculture,
the last Congress of the Chinese
Soviets decided on the following
economic program:
/. Further increase in produce
ton. The Soviets must undertake
this task in connection with agri-
culture by launching more
pIoughing campaigns by practi-
cally solving the difficulties of the
peasants such as lack of drawing
oxen, seeds, fertilizers, irrigation,
labor and credits. The Soviets
must encourage the peasants to
form mutual aid co-operatives,
such as labor mutual aid, draw
: ing oxen, fertilizers, etc, set up
experimental stations, open pas
ture grounds, educating the peas
antry in the scientific knowledge
of how to fight the harmful i'm
sects, floods and drought, etc. In
dispensable crops such as cotton,
shall be planted in Soviet terri
tory, and forestry protected by
planting.
2. Small production by handi-
craft shall be encouraged, partic-
ulariy of those articles which are
of vital importance to the war,
exports and the consumption of
the masses. The Soviets must
help in the formation of produce
ton cooperatives composed OF
unemployed, independent workers,
handicraftsmen, peasants, absorb
ing capital as much as possible in
the enterprise. Enterprises con-
fiscated by the SovietS may be
given over to them for operation
either by sale or by contract. I'm
der certain conditions the Soviets
may operate state enterprises as,
or instance, tungsten, cloth,
paper, ETC., but must refrain from
attempting a monopoly of produc-
ton just at this moment. At
present, the central task consists
of aiding the development of pro-
duction cooperatives both with
money and men as well as
strengthening. the leadership over
them.
A CABLE on Friday from Shang-
n hal told of the strike of the
rickshawnlen against lowering their
wages. All police have been called
out on duty to prevent the rick
shawmen from slashing tires on the
rickshaws, somewhat like the New
York taxi drivers did during the
last taxi strike.
There could be no more just pun
rfI. ~x@A 8 L.