To Mr. Zhu from the workers of the Canton–Hankou Railway

(September 10, 1922)

Mr. Zhu, esteemed sir:

Our strike this time is a measure of absolute last resort, brought about solely by the depth of our suffering. Incompetent officials running rampant, the poor treatment we receive—the details are all set forth in the various demands we submitted to our railway’s Director Wang and the foreign general manager. For half a month now, we endured the pain willingly, but there was no help for it. Director Wang deliberately procrastinated; Zhang and Miao have not been removed, and our requests were not granted. The entire railway was seething with indignation, and compelled by this, we were driven to act. That you, sir, intend to help maintain order fills us with a gratitude hard to express. However, our railway has always placed great importance on systematic management. Those who bear responsibility have their proper authorities. We earnestly hope that you, sir, will promptly negotiate with Director Wang of the Xujiapeng section and the foreign general manager. If in the morning our eight terms are granted, then by evening we shall resume operations; we shall certainly not go against orders. Furthermore, we the workers are fairly well organized. This strike is one for which the Federation of the Entire Railway Workers’ Clubs bears full negotiating responsibility. We take the liberty of informing you of this as well. We respectfully wish you every success! With these brief words, we trust to your wise discernment.