CO129-499-3 Canton situation- governor's despatches 12-2-1927 - 10-3-1927 — Page 70

- 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