September 1922  Dear Compatriots! Workers! Peasants! Students! Brothers and Sisters! Behold! How are we, the proletariat, treated by society? How do the capitalists oppress us? In this vast society, where is there any place for us to make our voices heard? Yet today, with dark forces closing in on all sides, we find ourselves at a life-and-death juncture, compelled to raise an impassioned and solemn cry!

Fellow countrymen! The notorious traitors on the Canton–Hankou Railway—Zhang Enrong (foreman) and Miao Fengming (clerk)—have long been known for their tyrannical, treacherous, and cruel abuse of the workers. As we have already made public, last year, driven by personal gain, they instigated a strike, deceived us, and plunged us into profound suffering. Afterward, they hatched a plot to force us into joining their organization, using it as a weapon to fight for their own interests. When this scheme failed, they flew into a rage out of sheer shame and resorted to every possible means to destroy our union hall. What bitter indignation and heartache this has caused us!

Moreover, Miao fabricated a strike in order to swindle away our hard-earned wages. When a worker was injured on the job, Miao refused to grant leave for medical treatment and even deducted the worker’s pay. Zhang, meanwhile, used the trains to smuggle opium; when the workers would not assist him, he retaliated with insults and threats and ultimately dismissed them. He also confiscated rice carried by the workers and falsely accused them of stealing coal. The list of such abuses is simply too long to recount fully.

Comrades, we have repeatedly demanded that the superintendent dismiss these scabs. For more than ten days now, no concrete action has been taken. Following a hearing, he rejected our demands and ordered that we be tried in court—a clear act of favoritism toward private interests, intended only to delay and evade responsibility. Three days ago, we sent a telegram to the Ministry of Communications, setting a three-day deadline for a satisfactory resolution; otherwise, we would launch a general strike pending a national referendum. We had also informed the superintendent that, should no agreement be reached, we would issue a final ultimatum. Now those three days have passed, and there is absolutely no prospect of a just settlement. By shielding these lawless, public-spirited villains, they have forced us down the only remaining path—threatening to inflict grave consequences upon the nation!

Fellow countrymen! Zhang and Miao are veritable thieves and enemies of the working class. We hereby swear that we will never coexist with them. Furthermore, with the relentless rise in the cost of living, our daily existence grows ever more difficult. Therefore, our demand for a wage increase to improve our livelihoods is both urgent and entirely justified.

Fellow workers! In order to “end oppression,” “preserve our organization,” “improve our lives,” and “uphold our dignity,” we have no choice but to struggle against the scabs; we must take this final step—the strike!

People from all walks of life! Our struggle is solely for our own immediate interests and has nothing to do with any external issues. We implore you, in the spirit of justice and fairness, to extend us your practical support.

Dear fellow workers! Brothers and sisters of the proletariat! We are fighting for our very survival, for our human dignity. Until we achieve our goals, we shall not lay down our arms. Let us summon the power of “unity” and “struggle”!

Workers throughout the country! “Workers, unite!” Let us join together and stand as one in our fight against those who oppress us!

The Canton–Hankou Railway Workers’ Declaration.