The Daily Worker Newspaper, February 5, 1927, Page 11

“Grace of The Lamb” 9 Bocce the yellow waters of the broad Yangt- ze floated a large river boat where lay Chang, earefully huddled together: behind a coil of rope. He heard footsteps and made an effort to crouch still closer. Chang was in fear of being discovered; not that there was any danger if he would he; it was merely that Chang felt peeved and wanted to be left alone. Before Chang ran’ away he was traveling with the Workers Theatre Group. He was not an actor, ner did he aspire to be one. Chang’s history is brief. He is thirteen, and one of China’s many waifs who spend their time fishing in the Yangtze. That is what he did before the Cantonese took possession of Hankow. It was then that Chang first heard of the “Three Peoples Principles,” which the southerners were pledged to uphold. After that Chang no longer aspired: to be a fisherman, instead he wanted to become a soldier, revolutionist, any- thing so long as: it would: give him an. opportunity to fight for the rightful cause. The recruting sergeant took ene leok at the lit- tle body of Chang’s whcn the latter came to enlist, and: shook his head. Insistence finally moved the officer to place him as orderly to the Workers The- atre group which, though Chang did not know, had become an indispensable part of the revolutioriary ~ forces. The Cantonese introduced a novel and effective method of spreading propaganda among the masses. As soon as they occupied a new city, theatrical groups which travel with the army, immediately take over the theatres and in such manner acquaint the people of their progress. Chang spent two weeks with the troupe, brooding continuously for not be- ing big eneugh to be a real soldier, before he made up his mind to run off to Shanghai. Along the fertile banks of the Yangtze-Kianr marched the large Cantonese army, then on the way to Shanghai. Platoon after platoon passed by in disciplined formation. Most of the soldiers were dressed in loose fitting garments of grey, but not all. Some walked in cloth shoes, others in leather boots, which left numerous footprints in the soft soil. Over their shoulders they carried folded blan- kets. The heat was incessant, and one by one the soldiers doffed their military caps for the wide bamboo hats which offered a slight relief from the sun. The river banks were thickly crowded with fishermen, who left their little sampans floating midst lotus flowers to cheer the victorious troops. Onward the hope of awakened China marched: Over the wilds of Tibet they came, marching vic- toriously. north, under the guidance of General Chiang Kai-Shek. Famous for decades as great traders and re- volutionists the Cantonese in less than three months swept from far off Canton to the outskirts of Shanghai, wiping out all opposition, including that ef Wu Pei-Fu, ’s cardboard “strong” man, liberating from the fetters of imperialism such in- dustrial centers as Hankew and Wuchang. Today the Cantonese control two-thirds of China and will continue to fight until the entire country is united ander their red banners. Chang now found himself in “Shanghai, but he was still lost. He seemed almost oblivious of the many people that shuffled in and.out of his gaze. In truth he was conscious of his little body. He felt weak and useless to the “Three Peoples of Principles” to which he had silently pledged allegi- ance. He seemed to realize that he was small, and feared that the glory of success was not to be his. It distressed him somehow. Chang was inspired with that innate pride of all Orientals. He wandered listlessly about the waterfront, hoping that the muddy waters could somehow swal- low him up. It was only when his narrow eyes shifted up the harbor that his hallow cheeks became animated with life. There floating idly at anchor, he saw an armada of warships flying the colors of the Powers. Variously colored flags breezed through the air. Chang looked at the high powered guns which were trained upon the city, as though he was planning things, He was. Chang knew that when the Cantonese will arrive, the same guns will be used against his countrymen. His mouth twitched slightly, as a smile broke through his lips. He scratched his shaven head, and like a dark shadow fuded away. Only Chang did not share in the excitement that their hurried strides the tensity that was air. In hotels guests gathered to discuss the latest events. Of the menacing Cantonese ran. their talk. ning to over their diminishing patronage. In shops, talk veered to a lack of business and to recent strikes which occurred in Shanghai. strike against the Shanghai Tram- Prior to which all traffic was at days. — Out of the industrial zone, that part which is known as “Chinese quarters,” agitation was also evident. In out-laying districts followers of the Kuomintang, the Peoples ; long rods. These men were secretly training to: foin the Cantonese when they would reach the city. Throughout the ancient kingdom sprung up “Dare to die corps,” gomprised mostly of students: from the universities. The “Dare to dies” were intro- duced in Chiang’s first great victory, when a picked squad stormed a narrow road in the face of ma- chine gum fire. Not all crossed the line, but those that did completely routed the first of the many warlords, Chiung Ching-ming. Now every city boasted such groups. National- ists, who were ready to die for Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s “Three Peoples Principles”—a slogan which was ‘sweeping throughout China with the rapidity of a forest fire. A government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Two-gun Piisadsic. #n the Wake of the News * By T. J. OFLAHERTY. (Continued from Page 1) Now we learn. that the United States will pursue an independent diplomatic policy in China, but will line up with England on the barricades in Shanghai and on the waterfront. This is most amusing,-but we doubt if the Chinese masses will see any humor in the ammouncement. Tit for tat. An agreement between imperialist scoundrels. You help me rob the Latin-Americans and I'll help you fleece the Chinese. But how far can the brigands go with this game? Remember that the ultimate judge in every situation of this kind is POWER. The Chinese have ‘the man-power: They have RIGHT on their Side and a consciousness of being engaged im a sacred crusade is dynamic. Against the mercenaries of the imperialist powers the Chinese millions are in- vincible. They are not as well equipped as their foes, but. a united nation of 400,000,000 people is unconquerable. And the foreign imperialists must deal with a large section of their people at home who are in opposition to a war against China in the interests of the» robber money barons of Wall! Street, New York and Threadneedie Street, London. The presence of Winston Churchill in Italy a few weeks back was commented on in The DAILY WORKER last week. The result of his visit can now be seen in the dispatch of Italian warships to China and the announcement in a fascist paper that Italy would stand with England in her con- there is no reason why her EF 60) should not shake down their flocks for what they have left. yi? , By ALEX JACKINSON Chang eontinued to walk along the wide water- front of Shanghai. He eyed the tiny bamboo sail boats, which swayed in the waters. While on the banks stood wharf coolies dressed in rags, im- portuning passers-by to bid a wicker basket of fresh- ly caught fish. These scenes held no interest for Chang. He merely Jooked on for a while and turned his attention elsewhere. He soon found him® self walking through a labyrinth of winding streets, lined on beth sides by low bamboo dwellings where the Chinese workers lived. Suspended under gaudy banners hung paper lanterns fastened on to long peles. An arema of cooking rice reached his nos- trils. Here bare-headed urchins such as he played in the roads: Some extended’ their palms to trous~ ered women wearing long blue jackets as they wadiled by: Other streets were lined with stalls where tourists come to haggle over mantlepiece curios, Chang reached the beginning of the Freneh Bund. Here the streets were paved and well cleaned in contrast to the dusty roads he just came from, ‘Well dressed foreigners and Chinese merchants at tired in silk garments rode in rickshaws, pushed hy sweating coclies. Chang took silent notice of the ° difference and, walked on until he reached the public gardens. Near the entrance two Sikh policemen were chasing several Chinese. The public gardens is a park where no Chinese are allowed to enter unless it: is a nurse with foreign children, Like all Chinese, Chang deeply hated the Sikh policemen who were imported’ from India by the English. He avoided walking near the park, and instead turned into Nankin Road, Shanchai’s lead- - ing theroughfare. Here he gazed into brightly dis- played windows. But even these scenes failed: to attract his interest. He kept walking along with- out taking notice of the busily congested street. The multitudes which swarmed both sides of the road suddenly stopped to gaze down the street from whence came the clanging of street. car bells once more. The brightly painted trams rolled up the street, for the first time since the strike began, but did not stop for passengers as usual. The cars were gaily deeorated by irridescent flags. The work- ers took the cars from the barn to celebrate their victory before resuming work. Down Nanking: Road came the chain of cars fol- lowed by workers on foot. As the cars passed cer- tain points, sympathizers of the victorious strikers set up a shout of joy. It was Labor’s Holiday and thousands of: workers from other trades joined the procession. In their midst walked students carry- ing “Down with Imperialism” banners. Suddenly, the cars ceased to move. For a few seconds. the workers were puzzled as to what hap- pened. But not for long. Word soon reached the paraders that the company had purposely shut off power to bar their demonstration. The women in- stantly stepped out of the cars which were left stranded midways in the street, and held a hur ried meeting. They decided to march to the com- pany and there hold 1 mass demonstration. Before long the strikers‘swarmed down Nanking Road Head- ed for the International Settlement, where, since the land regulations, no Chinese were allowed te enter. Through neighoboring streets, poured “sympa- thizers in ever increasing numbers, which soon swell- ed the multitude to a huge mass. The roadways be- came clogged with milling people rolling along like an avalanche of humanity. From all corners they came, hatless and’ shouting, but eager to show their newly discovered strength. Wheel chairs were lett in the streets as their drivers joined the moving columns. Shop keepers withdrew their window displays fearing the wrath of the workers. The sea of hu- manity continued to roll onward, sweeping pedes~ trians off the sidewalks. Others darted quickly into hallways. ; Chang felt himself being carried along. His lit- tle arms flew wildly in. the air, open-mouthed he gasped as he found himself pressed tight in the midst of the crowds The entire force of the hated Sikh policemen were arrayed at strategic corners. In their grasp were long bamboo sticks with which they pounded the heads of the workers. Arms reached out and eaught the ends of. the sticks, instantly other work- ers edged closer until they; ed the weapons from the hands of the. unweleome aliens. Soon Britain's mercenaries were forced to ‘retreat. — The great. demonstration did not subside until the treading of heavy feet was heard in the distance, as a detachment of marines from all nations ap- peared from around the corner. The guns in their hands were primed for action. ‘Without ado an order to fire was given, Later in the day two missionary doctors were separating the dead from, the wounded. Chang’s little body was among the lifeless. One of the mis- stonaries cleared his throat. “Heaven be Praised,” he chanted; “not a single white man was hurt.” The other rolled his eyes heavenward and replied: “Thank the mereiful Lord—‘Tis: the grace of the lamb —~—.