Underhand Work Among the Wharf Coolies: A Sample of the Methods Employed Last week we reproduced a paragraph from the Chinese press stating that Messrs. Butterfield Swire had received a petition from 300 of their wharf coolies asking for an increase in wages. The petition was couched in the typica)- ly formal language employed—by Chinese in such cases; the petitioners appealed to Messrs. Butterfield Swire with tears, etc.; and on the face of it the document seemed essentially genuine. As a matter of fact it was not, but was in reality _a very clever piece of communist work.
It is no secret that for a.considerable time past agitation of a communist type has been rampant in Shanghai no less than in Canton. In the latter centre it has paraded itself in the open, but in the less favourable atmosphere of Shanghai it has had to move by subterranean paths, and the methods adopted have been insidious to a -degree. The present is no more than an attempt to stir up strife and discontent among a section of the community which is perfectly contented with its lot.
One matter, however, about the' document was suspicious—that it was unsigned. Inquiries were promptly set afoot, and these clearly showed that the petition did not emanate from any of the coolies working at their wharves. The most careful scrutiny showed that they knew nothing of the matter at all, but very soon a clue, to: its origin was forthcoming.
As usual the coolies gather in the tea-houses after their work, and on one such occasion, it has been learned, they were addressed by some one who urged a demand for higher wages. He was not one of themselves, and his utterances did not create any tangible impression. This part of the matter is clearly established, and the conclusion is readily drawn that this tea-house orator was implicated in the scheme for sending the petition.
The situation %s accordingly amply clear, bearing out the suspicious of past months. Without, question agitators are at work, and the ordinary methods of propaganda having failed, they are resorting to plans which if successful would force labour unrest upon an unwilling community. Fortunately in the present case the whole scheme has been immediately exposed and the matter is not likely to go further as regards discontent. among this particular set of men. It is, however, a plain warning to employers of Tabour here that dangerous influences are in operation in our midst and must be guarded against by all possible means.
Mr. E. W. P. Mills, HM. Vice Consul, left for Foochow on Wednesday by the C.M.S. Hsinchi. Mr. Mills is transferred to Foochow from Chinkiang. 4
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.