To all newspapers, trade unions, and mass organizations throughout the country:  Our office has just received a telegram from the Beijing Congress, which reads as follows:  To All Members of the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of China:  The world economic situation is changing with ever-increasing rapidity, and the working class is becoming increasingly conscious. Russia has established a state of workers and peasants, which serves as a model for all nations! We, the toilers, have ourselves created civilization, yet we ourselves have reaped no benefit from it. Although the Provisional Constitution of the Republic of China explicitly stipulates that there shall be no class distinctions among the people, the vast majority of workers nationwide still enjoy no legal protection and are often subjected to oppression. Where in this world could there be greater injustice than this?  Fortunately, a labor-legislation movement is now sweeping across the country, its voice resounding throughout the land! What man of spirit and courage could fail to rejoice?  As representatives of the people, you must recognize that in a republican state, sovereignty resides with the entire populace. To engage in legislation while ignoring the interests of the great majority of the working class is tantamount to abandoning the people altogether!

Based on the four fundamental principles—(1) securing political freedom for workers; (2) improving their economic conditions; (3) bringing industry under democratic control; and (4) ensuring access to education—we fully endorse the nineteen-article outline of the Labor Bill proposed by the General Headquarters of the Chinese Federation of Labor Unions.

We earnestly implore you: Act in accordance with justice, fulfill your sacred duty, and promptly pass the Labor Bill, so that we toilers may not be reduced to a lawless population, thereby being driven to engage in extra-legal activities. That would be most fortunate indeed! Otherwise, you would in effect be cutting yourselves off from the masses. In that event, all the workers of our country would have no choice but to rise up in holy defiance, to unite in solidarity, to fight for freedom, to fight for survival, and to fight for the rights that rightfully belong to us. We would then refuse to acknowledge that you possess any mandate to represent the will of the people in drafting a constitution!



The Hunan Branch of the Chinese Federation of Labor Unions, the Xinhe–Guangzhou–Hankou Railway Workers’ Club, the Yueyang–Guangzhou–Hankou Railway Workers’ Club—collectively humbly submit this petition.

We earnestly request your impartial support and vigorous endorsement. We stand at your disposal, eagerly awaiting your instructions.  The Hunan Branch of the Chinese Federation of Labor Unions, the Xinhe–Guangzhou–Hankou Railway Workers’ Club, the Yueyang–Guangzhou–Hankou Railway Workers’ Club, and the Anyuan Road and Mine Workers’ Club.  Humble submission, September 6th. (Labor Institute Telegram)