To all labor unions, chambers of commerce, peasant associations, educational societies, student federations, newspapers, and other organizations throughout the country:  The All-China Federation of Labor convened its inaugural congress on the Peking-Hankow Railway, only to have it forcibly dispersed by military force, prompting a general strike. Subsequently, the heinous warlords Cao Kun, Wu Peifu, Xiao Yaonan, Zhang Fulai, and others dispatched large detachments of troops to compel the workers back to work, resulting in the murder of over three hundred workers and countless injuries. At the same time, they summarily executed labor leaders Shi Yang, Wu Ruming, and Lin Xiangqian, and sealed off all trade unions along the Peking-Hankow Railway as well as the Hubei Provincial Federation of Labor Unions.

It is stipulated in the Provisional Constitution that the people enjoy freedom of assembly and association. These unions had been established for many years and had achieved remarkable results; hence, the convening of the All-China Federation of Labor’s inaugural congress was entirely lawful and constituted a rightful entitlement of the working class. Yet Cao, Wu, and their cohorts brazenly resorted to armed force to dissolve it—such an act not only violated the Provisional Constitution and trampled upon human rights, but went even further by instigating the military to carry out a brutal massacre, forcibly compelling the workers to resume their jobs. By wielding their military power to impose terror and treating human life with such callous disregard, these warlords have earned the condemnation of future generations and have become public enemies of humanity.

We, as fellow members of the labor movement closely bound by kinship to our comrades on the Peking-Hankow Railway, are filled with righteous indignation at this outrageous and unjustified suppression. This sentiment is shared by the vast majority of our people. In response to the widespread demand of the masses, we hereby announce the establishment of the “Committee to Aid the Peking-Hankow Railway.” From this day forward, we shall lead tens of thousands of working people from Hunan and Xiang regions in a determined struggle against the warlords who have committed these illegal and bloody atrocities against our brothers and sisters on the Peking-Hankow Railway. We swear to avenge this grievous wrong for all time and to eradicate these public enemies of humanity.

Accordingly, we issue this urgent telegram, calling upon all concerned to join us in voicing our collective outrage and rising up in unison to confront them. Otherwise, as these warlords continue to run rampant in their wickedness, we fear that our forty million compatriots will be reduced to mere prey.

As we send this message, our hearts are aflame with hope and prayer.

January 5, 1923  Seal of the Hunan Industrial Park Committee to Aid the Peking-Hankow Railway

Changsha Daily, February 28, 1923  A Heroic Chronicle of the Bloodshed of the Peking-Hankow Railway Workers  Henan People’s Publishing House, First Edition, 1.10