Chapter 18 The Study Abroad Movement Emerges 1918

Journalist: “Did you later initiate the Study Abroad Movement?”

Mao: “Yes. Xiao Zisheng taught at Chu Yi Middle School for over two years. During that time, while I was studying at the First Normal School, I often went to talk to him, usually few times a week. I once asked him if he planned to make teaching his lifelong career. He said he wanted to study abroad. I asked him which country he wanted to go to, and he said he hadn’t decided yet. France, the United States, the United Kingdom, or perhaps Japan. He hadn’t made up his mind. I then asked him how he planned to raise the funds for his overseas trip, and he said we could figure that out slowly since it was a matter concerning the New People’s Study Society. We had all expressed our intentions to study abroad.

I told him that we needed to formulate specific steps to put our plans into action. Xiao said the first step was to gather around ten people and hold a meeting to discuss the implementation methods.

I agreed wholeheartedly and said, ‘Since you’re the secretary, go ahead and send out the notification. Let’s meet and see what we can do.’

We continued discussing how members of the New People’s Study Society could study abroad. The most challenging aspect was how to raise funds.

I insisted on convening a meeting with all the members of the New People’s Study Society to discuss this. Xiao disagreed. He said that in order to ignite enthusiasm, he should first have individual conversations with them and then have a collective discussion. Eventually, I agreed, and Xiao started by talking to Xiong Guangzu and Chen Chang. Both of them thought the plan was good, but Chen Chang, being the only child, expressed concerns about leaving his family unattended if he were to study abroad. Xiong Guangzu and Xiao persuaded him to sell his land and bring his wife and children with him, but Chen said he didn’t have enough money to cover the expenses for his family. Xiong Guangzu, the senior member of the New People’s Study Society, was elated at the idea of studying abroad. He said he would ask his brothers to take care of his wife and children.”

Journalist “So you received one person’s response. What happened next?”

Mao: “Xiao had another lengthy discussion with Cai Yuanpei. Cai highly praised the plan to study abroad, saying it was his long-held dream and must be realized as soon as possible. He excitedly asked Xiao, ‘Which country do you prefer to go to?’ Xiao replied, ‘France is my first choice, followed by the United States. Going to the United Kingdom or Japan would also be good.’ Cai expressed his preference for France and asked about raising travel expenses. Xiao said he had heard about an organization called the ‘China- France Education Association,’ with Cai Yuanpei, the President of Peking University, as its head. He planned to talk to him and learn more about the situation. Cai Yuanpei said that there was currently a war in France, and there were over 100,000 Chinese laborers working there, most of whom had left their wives and children in their hometowns. We could write letters to their families and also teach the Chinese children in France, which could help us sustain ourselves. As long as we had enough to eat and wear, we could pursue our studies.

Xiao said, ‘In addition to teaching Chinese children, we can also gather the Chinese laborers together, encourage them to learn French, acquire skills, and gain knowledge about French social and political organizations. When they return to China, they can become the backbone of the reform movement in the lower strata and find many like-minded individuals for the great cause of transforming China.’ Cai Yuanpei and Cai Hesen also found this idea meaningful.”

Journalist: “So you planned to go to France and also seek out the Chinese laborers?”

Mao: “Yes. We gathered for a meeting the following Sunday afternoon to discuss. Xiao reported on the matter of studying abroad, and during the meeting, he mentioned that he had heard about a guy named Mr. Zhang Jingjiang, who had opened a tea company in Paris, which later became a large- scale Chinese antique store. After accumulating wealth, he dedicated his assets to Sun Yat-sen and supported the revolution. Xiong Guangzu said, ‘Mr. Xiao’s arrangement for studying in France is excellent and feasible. Most students should be able to go. I have also decided to go to France.’ I interjected and said, ‘Many members don’t quite understand Mr. Xiao’s ideas, so I suggest that Xiao further explain.’”

After introducing the ‘HuaFa Education Association’ (China-France Education Association) and discussing the plan, including the Chinese workers who had worked in France during World War I, everyone believed that the plan was feasible and expressed their willingness to go to France. Only one member, Zhou Mingde, mentioned his preference for going to Japan. Chen Chang, on the other hand, explained that he couldn’t go due to the lack of someone to take care of his wife and children, but he pledged to stay in Changsha and assist us as much as possible.”

The journalist: “Oh, Mr. Xiao’s suggestions are practical, and his proposed methods are feasible.”

Mao: “Yes, after further discussions, Xiao said, ‘Yang Huaizhong (Yang Changji) has accepted a position at Peking University and went to Beijing. I will write to him, explaining our plan to go to France and asking him to inquire about the Huafa Education Association from Mr. Cai, the president of Peking University. Once I receive his reply, I will call for the second meeting.’”