8
73
ago the warlords imposed extortionate taxes on us, and we
could not do anything to oppose them. Therefore when the
people help the Nationalist Government they are assisting
in the promotion of their own benefit. Temporary sufferings
will insure our permanent benefit. We must understand this
clearly.
In conclusion we hope that all of you will work hard.
Hard work will accomplish everything. For instance, our
President, on his arrival at Peking in the year before last, proposed the abolition of the unequal treaties. At that time everyone made light of us, taking what we advocated as mere empty talk. It will take a long time and require much effort to get the unequal treaties abolished. But now not only every Chinese favours their
abolition but also all foreigners deem it necessary. This
proves that in doing anything, we must do it resolutely and vigorously. What I have said today is only a brief account and I beg that all of you will excuse me.