The Hunan People Denounce Zhang Jingyao for
Sabotaging the Peace (June 5, 1920)
To All Newspaper Offices and All Groups, for Public Information:
We have just received an admirable telegram sent by the general headquarters of
Hunan forwarded through Guangzhou, which says that Division Commander Wu has
withdrawn his garrison and the three parties have reached an agreement. When any
Hunan troops go to get food and supplies, the same procedures are to be followed
as previously agreed on, and they should not be stopped. However, when our army
sent some men to purchase rice the other day, they came under heavy fire from Zhang
Jingyao’s relief troops when passing the defense line. A total of thirteen of our soldiers
were killed or wounded. Driven beyond forbearance, our troops were forced to take
appropriate defensive actions. Such an incident of fighting against each other is a
sabotage of the peace, for which Zhang Jingyao must be held responsible. We hope
that you can tell the whole country to expect the public trial of Zhang Jingyao, who is
infamous both in China and abroad for bringing calamity to Hunan. He must now be
held responsible for the premeditated provocations that have upset the whole situation.
We urge you to stand for justice and root out oppression. This is a matter of great
urgency, and we anxiously await your response. Respectfully,
Union of Hunanese of All Circles Residing in Shanghai