On July 23 the following letter was addressed to the China Merchants, the San Pech, the Ningpo Shao-shing and other smaller companies, but no reply was receiv-
Chinese Seamen's Union, Shanghai Branch. Taly 23, 1922. Dear Sirs, We wish to call your attention to the following facts 1.—The above Union has been formed by, and consists of the Chinese members of crews serving on mercantile vessels engaged in the river, coast and ocean trade: and is a branch of the Chinese Seamen's TJnion which has been registered in Hongkong.
2.—As is probably well-known to vou an arrangement was arrived at on March 8 last in Hongkong whereby certain increases in wages or salary were granted to Chinese seamen. A copy of this agreement in English and Chinese is sent forthwith.
3.—This increase in wages has been adopted by the majority of firma operating from Shanghai with the exception of yours and some others.
4.—We therefore feel that we are justified in asking you to come into line with the other companies and that you will, where necessary, communicate with the owners, or agents concerned in order that the men employed in your service may enjoy the same increased rate of pav as those in other employment.
5.—We further ask that such increase may take effect from January 1, 1922 as in the case of other shipping firms and companies.
Your faithfully, (Sd.) Lass Were. Chairman.
A week later, on August 1, further letter was sent pressing for a reply and suggesting a meeting of representatives from both sides.
The smaller companies replied stating that they would rather wait and see what the larger companies would do before taking action Three days later no satisfactory reply having been forthcoming, th Union notified the companies that they ould. not be responsible for letter follows 0 actions of the seamen. i Chinese Seamen's Union, Shanghai Branch, Dear Sirs, Ang Re Increase of wages This makes the third letter that we have written you requesting your im. mediate attention to the matter of the increase of wages payable to our mem-with your definite reply. nee tapered Up to date we have not b Kindly therefore give this matter your attention and favour us with a reply as otherwise the Union can take no responsibility for the actions of the men, Your faithfully, (Sd.) Last Wet-sten, Chairman.
On Friday last the Union addressed the following letter fo the ships' captains asking the latter to mediate by approaching the ship owners with a view to settlement Chinese Seamen's Union, Shanghai Branch, Dear Captain, Aug. 4. _In view of the present high cost of of these hard times, the members of our living and in order to meet the necessity Union have Proposed to request their respective employers to raise their present to by all the shipping companies in scale of drawing which has been agreed Shanghai. We have approached the owners of your ship and are asking for assistance in bringing pressure to bear in order that the increase for which woe have asked may be granted, Thanking you in anticipation.
Your faithfully, (Sd.) Law Wer-wen, Chairman, Tue Companies ArrEcrep, At 8 o'clock on Saturday morning an order for a general strike was given and immediately 300 seamen left ship.
In all there are about a dozen companies involved in the strike. Thesa ara the China Merchants' 8. N. Ca., San Peh 8. N. Ca., Ningpo Shaoshing 8. N. Ca. Jensien 8. S. Ca, Yuan Yi Ca. Vu Fong S. N. Ao, Ching Kee their men in accordance with the agreement, whether they were in the north or in the south, but the Chinese shipping companies failed to follow suit, arguing that the Hongkong agreement did not cover their northern employees.
Representatives of the Hongkong Seamen's Union were sent Shanghai to organize a branch and to "unite the seamen" of the north. As a matter of fact representatives are or have been sent to most places where boats carrying Chinese seamen touch. These men, it was alleged, were to sutores the Hongkong agreement, Offices were rented on the third Boor of No. 163 Broadway. formal opening of the branch, though repeatedly an-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.