To President of the International Socialist BureauNov. 10, 1915

President
International Socialist Bureau
Peoples Palace
Brussels, Belgium
Dear Sirs:
　So kind and sympathetic a letter from a source such as yourorganization cannot be otherwise than act as an invigorating tonicfull of encouragement and hope to me and my followers. I wishyou to know it has done me much good, and that I am grateful tothe Socialists for the noble and valuable service they rendered toour cause. The knowledge that I have many sympathizers all overthe world make my heart glad. We are truly fellow-workers, co-laborers struggling against great opposing forces, and having thesame unshakable conviction that truth, righteousness, and human-ity, will surely conquer evil and injustice at the end.It will interest you to know that at the end of the first revo-lution when I was elected President of the Republic, I wanted toorganize China after the Socialist idea; but I found myself singlehanded, for the people were absolutely ignorant on that subject,and my followers who were Socialists were but a handful besidestheir idea of Socialism was both crude and vague. I realized that
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I could not reconstruct China with such workers I had in hand, andwith no talents to support me whatever, so I decided it would beuseless to retain power; which meant prolongation of war and use-less shedding of blood; therefore I concluded peace with Yuan ShihKai with the understanding that he will govern the Republic, whichI labored to bring about with the true spirit of democracy.I was contrited to hand over the reins of the government toYuan, in whom I had implicit faith. After twenty years labor, I hadaccomplished the task of changing an absolute monarchy into aRepublic, and I was impatient to proceed in preparing the way forSocialism by educating the thinking and progressive element.To my great grief and disappointment, Yuan Shih Kai whomI trusted to carry out the work which he swore he would, did no-thing but usurped all power to his own interest, and furthermorehe undid every bit of my work by underhanded means, and as soonas he felt strong enough he openly went back on his oath, and at-tacked the very principles that we mutually agreed he shoulduphold. Today he is more despotic than any tyrant, and China ismore corrupt than ever before. He employed a gang of cut-throatsand assassins to do away with his opponents, and many of China'sbest men were deliberately assassinated. Proofs showing that Yuanwas the real author of the crimes went for nothing simply becausehe is the President. Therefore he has absolute power to kill openly
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or murder secretly, and no one has right to censure him. WhenParliament demanded explanations from him, what did he do butsimply abolished the Parliament itself. Members of Parliament werepoisoned, executed, and imprisoned.
　It seems strange that such state of affairs could happen in thisenlightened 20th century in a country whose inhabitants compri-ses one-fourth of the entire human race; and yet the outside worldeither does not know them or is indifferent to them. With Yuan'spower and money he bought up men and influential newspapers.The representatives of different nations were so busy looking afterthe proper protection of the lives and properties of their own peo-ple, and scheming as to what further interests they might securein China. Plus the keenest jealousy they entertain between them-selves; that they deemed, perhaps, profitable and wise to shut theireyes to all Yuan's dispotism; for after all he is in power, and it isonly through his hands they might get what they desire.But with all Yuan's seeming power he must go for we are deter-mined that he should be crushed, and his days are but numbered.The Manchus were much more powerful than he yet we succeededin relegating them. Yuan is afraid and that is the reason why he plea-ses the worried powers for in return he expects them to back himup when trouble comes, which he knows is bound to come. He re-alizes that he cannot rely upon the support of his own countrymen.
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The capitalists believe that to uphold Yuan is to preserve peacein China, but that belief is false, for there has been no peace inChina and never will be as long as he continues practicing tyrannyand selfishness. In a conditional way-not so clear as this, great dis-turbance is the order of the day in China, and when I give orderto rise a great upheaval, greater than any known in China will bethe result, for my men are all ready to start whenever the signalis given them. Yuan's own men and soldiers are turning against him,and that is an added assurance of our success.
　Our 2nd revolution was a failure because there was no unityamongst the revolutionists and there was no leader for I took no ac-tive part in the movement. Immediately after I resigned in favor ofYuan, I gave up politics entirely, and lost myself completely in stu-dying out the best methods of gradually moulding the governmentaccording to the Socialist idea thus realizing and completing the soleobject and ambition of my life. I firmly believe that only when Chinabecomes a Socialist state, that our people can be made happier andtheir drudgeries alleviated. Socialism will cure her ailment.Our coming revolution will, without a doubt reap success. Itis under my direct control and management, and I take the entireresponsibility myself. My followers profited by the lessons derivedfrom past failure are working in perfect unison and harmony un-der my personal supervision.

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To overthrow Yuan is but a foregone conclusion and is not dif-ficult; but the task that comes after his downfall, the reorganiza-tion of China, is what I am afraid of, for I have no practical talentsto assist me in carrying out my long cherished desire of guidingthe state to that goal. I will again be handicapped as I was in 1912.I am not justified in plunging the country into another bloody warunless I am assured that I can have good, trustworthy talents tohelp, and advise me in carrying out my Socialistic principles andpolicies.
　I desire to impress upon you, my co-laborers, that China is theland where Socialism can be carried out into practice; and it is thefield that should be worked and used as a model of governmentafter the Socialist idea. China is immensely rich in natural resour-ces, and her teeming millions are eager, earnest laborers, quiet innature, and are easily led and satisfied. So long they are given workthey are happy. Industry is not yet developed, capitalism not yetdomineering, and the masses of the people are obedient and law-abiding; so she can be easily moulded into any shape or form. Solong has the country been under the monarchic rule that her peo-ple have never been taught the difference between social democ-racy and autocracy.
　I appeal to you, my co-laborers, to help me in makingChina the first Socialist state in the world, by concentrating your
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attention, energy on China, and contributing talents in various linesand departments of work to help me. I need the assistance of mensuch as your organization could furnish in this great undertaking.If you agree to my proposal, will you advise me at the earliestpossible moment, so that we can devise practical means to carryout our plan. I should be pleased if you will present my idea to theleaders of the Socialists of all countries, and if it be met with ap-proval I may be able to come to Europe to discuss details with you.Please impress upon the leaders the necessity of absolute sec-recy, for should the worried powers capitalists and financiers beacquainted with this matter, they will combine together and en-deavour to nip us in the bud, which will make our battle muchharder to fight.
　In conclusion, I beg you to remember that it is within yourpower to help push this great human force to labor like men, andto secure happiness and blessings to millions of human souls.Hoping to hear from you soon, I remain,
Your fellow-worker, Sun Yat-sen
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