TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT?

13 December 1925

[Text] In the past 6 months, some people have been advocating a theory: The left is not good, nor is the right. Another group has proposed an intermediate opinion. They reject the left as well as the right and indicate that they, themselves, take the middle position. Such things are now often seen in Kwangtung, but quite widespread in Kiangsu and Chekiang. The reason is that in Kwangtung, the left is Canton and the right is Hong Kong. Standing under the banner of Canton, he inevitably opposes Hong Kong, and vice versa. CHIh Ch'ing-ch'eng [7718 3518 2494] leads the counterrevolutionary military, politicians, comprador class, local tyrants, and evil gentry and stands under the banner of Hong Kong, while the Kuomintang leftwing leads the workers, peasants, soldiers, students, merchants, and all types of revolutionary masses and stands under the banner of Canton. Therefore, they mutually attack each other with artillery. There can be no intermediate in the midst of such mutual attack. If there is such an intermediate element, he can only cover himself up and hide under the banner of one side, speaking quietly and treading lightly. If there is someone standing between Canton and Hong Kong, he will have to declare that "Hong Kong is no good and Canton is also no good." Then, Hong Kong will train its artillery on him, and so will Canton. Currently, there has not yet been any incident of mutual attack with artillery in the Kiangsu-Chekiang area, and therefore, the theory of "Both sides no good" flourishes. On 30 May this year, the artillery of side A rushed in the Nanking Road, but luckily side B had no artillery. Just fists alone could not become "mutual attack," and no chaos resulted. (Strikes did not amount to much). The theory of "Both sides no good" can still be openly spread, "retaining righteousness between the two and saving freedom between heaven and earth." However, if we set up a hypothetical situation: If the masses on Nanking Road had generated, as well as fists, and were led by Wang Ching-wei [3076 4732 5898] and Chiang Kai-shek, then, when the police station was levelled by artillery, they would immediately occupy the Bureau of Taxes, capture all the ruffian and policemen, blockade Wu-sung Harbor, mount artillery in Chiang-wan-t'ang and Shih-tzu-lin (similar to Hu-men), and hoist the banner against imperialism over the artillery positions. By then, Shanghai would unfortunately be in a "chaos," similar to Canton. A garrison headquarters would be set

up and those like Mr Wang Mao-k'ung [3769 2021 0501] would be asked to serve as the commander who would then ride around in an armored car every day on the streets. The 'Ishih-shih Pa'o' and its like would not be allowed to publish again (perhaps also the 'Hsing-shih Chou-pao"). Only the majority would be permitted to enjoy the freedom of speech, and the freedom of the minority would have to be deprived, exactly the opposite of before. By then, the intermediate element, as in Canton, would not be able to spread their theory openly. What should they do? Naturally, they would still flee to Peking. But they would not only go on Peking for long. It would be contingent on the stability of Executive Tuan [2008]. As long as he remained in power, there would be no problem. Not only could the Kuomintang comrades club hoist its sign high, but even the Fourth General Central Committee could hold its meeting there. It would be even more liberal than in Changchiakou. While we say this, I am still somewhat confused. How come Changchiakou does not permit the Fourth Central Committee to hold a meeting? Isn't it also under the jurisdiction of the new government? If the Executive Tuan is not there--Wait a minute! Even when Executive Tuan is there, there can be unforeseen incidents. Did we not hear that two persons were kidnapped and put into an automobile, taken into the city and beaten up, and forced to write statements of repentance? Alas! Such disturbances could happen even under the rule of Executive Tuan! The affairs of the world are truly difficult to determine! Even more distressing: According to the telegram of the Peking Executive Department, a revolutionary movement occurred on 28 November and the urban residents laid siege to the Executive Residence, demanding the ouster of Tuan Ch'i-jui [3008 4388 3843]. It also said that the National Congress decided on this item, and the first was to organize a national government. (Most unfortunate! Naturally it will be similar to Canton!). Then, according to Reuter, "There was a demonstration in Peking on the 28th. The students carried the banner of Canton, the workers displayed red flags, but the national flag was seen by the demonstrators scattered haphazardly, demanding to overthrow Tuan Ch'i-jui, punish Chu Shen [2612 3234], execute the traitors, dissolve the customs conference, arm the people, carry out mass revolution, organize a true national congress, etc." The 'Hsin-minchih Hein-pao' headlined the telegram "Frightening Demonstration!" What's to be done? "Frightening demonstration" happened here! If, in the future, a "national government" is actually organized and the "Canton banner" is hoisted high over the roof of that government, will it not result in a "chaos" similar to Canton? No, just this alone, but the "chaos" may spread to the entire country, imitated everywhere. The majority may rise to gain their "freedom" and arbitrarily deprive the minority of their freedom. Gentlemen who stand in the middle! What should you do? To the left? Or to the right?

© CHENG-CHIH CHOU-PAO, No 2, Canton Cheng-chih Chou-pao Press, 13 December 1925