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MGLU and MSGU 8,000, and nil for AIL. 18 <strong>The</strong> MCP figure w<strong>as</strong> considerably lower than <strong>the</strong> one<br />
<strong>in</strong> Gordon’s report but <strong>the</strong> difference <strong>in</strong> Trade Union members (8,000 aga<strong>in</strong>st 8,581) w<strong>as</strong> relatively<br />
small. <strong>The</strong> Special Branch which <strong>in</strong>tercepted Ducroux’ letter, C. F. Yong noted, recorded an MCP<br />
membership figure of 1,500. 19<br />
In 1931 an MCP representative w<strong>as</strong> sent to Thailand to resolve an <strong>in</strong>ternal dispute of <strong>the</strong> Siamese<br />
<strong>Communist</strong> <strong>Party</strong>. 20<br />
3. Draft ES letters written after <strong>the</strong> arrest of <strong>the</strong> FEB mission<br />
<strong>The</strong> Com<strong>in</strong>tern <strong>Files</strong> conta<strong>in</strong>ed two draft letters from <strong>the</strong> ES to <strong>the</strong> MCP which were prepared after<br />
Ducroux and his two mission colleagues were arrested. As <strong>the</strong> connection between <strong>the</strong> Com<strong>in</strong>tern<br />
and <strong>the</strong> MCP w<strong>as</strong> almost entirely cut off <strong>the</strong>n, <strong>the</strong>se letters might not have reached <strong>the</strong> MCP. <strong>The</strong><br />
letters were written <strong>in</strong> English. <strong>The</strong> first letter, dated 3 July 1931, conta<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong>structions from <strong>the</strong><br />
ES to <strong>the</strong> MCP. <strong>The</strong> second, dated 8 July 1931, had <strong>the</strong> title, “<strong>The</strong> Present Situation <strong>in</strong> Malaya and<br />
<strong>the</strong> T<strong>as</strong>k of <strong>the</strong> CPM (sic)”. Both letters are summarized below.<br />
(1) Draft English letter of <strong>in</strong>structions from <strong>the</strong> ES to <strong>the</strong> MCP, dated 3 July 1931<br />
Cruxes are shown first: (1) Imperialists’ agrarian reforms cannot solve slavery conditions of<br />
<strong>Malayan</strong> population. (2) Present chief t<strong>as</strong>ks are to overthrow Imperialist and to abolish such precapitalist<br />
remnants <strong>as</strong> landlords and Sultans. (3) <strong>The</strong> ma<strong>in</strong> driv<strong>in</strong>g force <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> revolution is<br />
proletariat (especially those work<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> rubber plantations and t<strong>in</strong> m<strong>in</strong>es) and <strong>the</strong> pe<strong>as</strong>antry. (4)<br />
Though general strike is an essential step toward armed <strong>in</strong>surrection, it requires widespread<br />
dissatisfaction of work<strong>in</strong>g m<strong>as</strong>ses and strong leadership of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Party</strong>. Today, general strike should<br />
be used <strong>as</strong> a slogan only. (5) Upris<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> 1927 and 1928 and semi-Trotskyite leadership of Li Li<br />
San offended a mistake of leftist opportunist. (6) Trade union movement should be streng<strong>the</strong>ned.<br />
Nanyang Federation of Labour, which subsumes non-Ch<strong>in</strong>ese <strong>as</strong> well, should be built. (7)<br />
Fundamental slogans of <strong>the</strong> anti-imperialist revolution; Establishment of Soviet Republic of<br />
Malaya. Confiscation of British Imperialists’ <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> landlords’ <strong>as</strong>sets. Improvement of work<strong>in</strong>g<br />
conditions. Aga<strong>in</strong>st Imperialist war. Defend USSR and Ch<strong>in</strong>ese, Indian revolution.<br />
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