Guangzhou-Hankou Railroad Workers' Strike
Declaration
(September 8, 1922)

Dear fellow countrymen! Workers! Farmers! Students! Brothers and Sisters!

Just look at how we proletarians are treated by society! Look at how the
capitalists oppress us! In all of this vast society, where is there a place for us to
have our say? But at this point, tightly encircled by dark forces that have brought
us to this life-and-death crisis, we cannot but utter an urgent and solemn cry!
Compatriots! We have previously declared how despotic and sinister the two
villains of the Guangzhou-Hankou Railway, Zhang Enrong (supervisor) and
Miao Fengmin (foreman), have been in mistreating the workers. Last year, seeking personal profit, they incited the workers to strike, making utter fools of us
and plunging us into deep suffering. Afterwards, they conspired further to force
us to join their organization and become weapons in their bid for power. When
they failed, their humiliation turned to anger, and they made every effort to
sabotage our club. How angry and hurt this made us feel! In addition, Miao even
used the strike as an excuse to defraud us of our hard-earned wages. When a
worker was injured on the job, Miao not only refused to let him leave for
medical care, but actually docked his pay. Zhang, for his part, made use of the
railways to traffic in opium, and beat up, insulted, and then fired a worker who
refused to cover up for him. He also confiscated the rice that workers brought to
work, and accused them of stealing coal. It would be hard indeed to describe the
countless cases of his mistreating the workers. Compatriots, time and again we
have asked the bureau chief to dismiss such scabs as he, but for more than ten
days now, no concrete measures have been taken. The result of an interview with
him in person is that he denied our demands and told us to take the case to court.
Clearly he is shielding his own men so as to shirk his own responsibility. Three
days ago we sent three separate telegrams to the Ministry of Transportation,
setting a three-day time limit within which to settle the matter satisfactorily, or
else a general strike would be held until the case is publicly judged by our fellow
countrymen. The same intention was set out in a final warning submitted to the
bureau chief. Now the three days are up and there is absolutely no hope for a

This declaration was published in the Changsha Dagongbao on September 10, 1922. Our
source is Mao Zedong ji. Bujuan, Vol. 2, pp. 95-96.
satisfactory settlement. It is they who, by protecting their own men who have
violated the law and sabotaged the public interest, have forced us to this last
resort, which so greatly affects the nation! Compatriots! Zhang and Miao are
villains who devour us workers. It is only natural that we swear not to coexist
with them. Aside from this, as the cost of living rises, our lives become more and
more difficult each day. Therefore, it is also quite urgent and highly reasonable
for us to demand that our wages be raised to improve our living standard. Fellow
countrymen and fellow workers! For the sake of "ending oppression," "maintaining our organization," "improving our lives," and "promoting human dignity,"
we have no choice but to struggle against the scabs and to resort to this final
measure (a strike)! Compatriots from all walks of life! We strive only for our
own immediate interests, and this has nothing to do with outside issues. Please,
in the spirit of justice and truth, lend us concrete assistance! Dear fellow workers! Proletarian brothers and sisters! We are fighting for survival, for human
dignity, and we vow never to give up until our goals are won! Fellow workers!
Be brave! Be resolute! "Fighting for our very lives" depends entirely upon our
ability to "unite" and "struggle"! Fellow workers throughout the country! "All
workers are one." Let us unite and fight together against those who oppress us!

Declaration of the Guangzhou-Hankou Railway Workers.