- 5-
70
If we
It was because our military success had been extended to
the upper basin of the Yangtze River, and if the strike
had not been settled, our political position would have
been greatly affected, for we could not carry out a policy
of boycott on the Yangtsze as we did in Kwangtung, and at
the same time a struggle of that kind cannot be maintained
in Kwangtung for ever. Since though our enemies suffer
a heavy loss, we also suffer a great deal too.
could not extend the strike throughout the whole country,
we should not be able to maintain it at all.
So we
resolved to settle it by withdrawing all strike pickets
and retracting the policy of forcible boycott, at the
same time increasing our customs duty to help the workmen
to obtain subsistence. This policy was rendered necessary
by the needs of the political situation and for the sake
of the personal benefit of the workman. We knew that the
British Imperialists dared not oppose our increase of
Customs duty since they were afraid of the extension of
our boycott movement, and as we had predicted, they
recognised the increase willingly. This good scheme was
carried into practice in November last year (1926).
spurious Peking Government and all the warlords also
intended to enforce this surtax, but the British objected.
Why? Because the masses have supported us. The Governmen is prepared to levy such surtaxes in Kiukiang and Hankow
also, and we can predict that no one will dare to raise
any opposition. Our comrades in the Government can after all find many excellent ways for dealing with the Imperialists. We shall render them incapable of allying themselves with the warlords and at loggerheads among
themselves.
The
Then at one blow we shall overthrow them.
Such