Chapter 79 The Storm of "Free China"

When Hu Shi fled the mainland, seeing the unstoppable victory of the Chinese Communist Party and the People's Liberation Army, he was helpless and filled with resentment.When I boarded the ship in Shanghai, I remembered the matter of starting a publishing house and publications with some friends such as Lei Zhen.He felt that in the future "the ideological struggle against the Communist Party must be based on 'freedom' or 'liberalism' as the only starting point, and must also be based on 'freedom' or 'liberalism' as the only destination." ① Therefore, he named the publication to be founded "Free China".He then turned on the desk lamp, took out a pen, and wrote the article "The Purpose of the Free China Society" on the boat, which was used as the opening words of the semi-monthly "Free China".The text is not too long, it is all recorded below:

Today, wherever we see the Communist Party's military force, we immediately put down a very tight iron curtain.Under the Iron Curtain, newspapers have no news at all, freedom of speech is completely lost, and other basic freedoms of the people cannot exist.This is the most thorough ignorance of the people that the ancient autocratic emperors dare not practice. This is exactly the terror of the Iron Curtain planned by international communism.We really can't bear to sit back and watch this terrible iron curtain spread to the whole of China.Therefore, we initiate this union as a starting point for the "Free China" movement.

Our purpose is the work we want to do, including these: First, we must promote the true value of freedom and democracy to the people of the whole country, and urge the government (government at all levels) (press, refers to the Chiang government) to reform politics and economy, and strive to establish a free and democratic society. Second, we must support and urge the government to use all means to resist the totalitarian politics under the iron curtain of the Communist Party that deprives all freedom, and prevent him from expanding his sphere of influence. Third, we must do our best to assist compatriots in occupied areas (according to, refers to liberated areas) and help them regain their freedom as soon as possible.

Fourth, our ultimate goal is to make the entire Republic of China a free China. ② This is the tone Hu Shi set for the "Free China" magazine: anti-communist, advocating democracy and freedom. On November 20, 1949, "Free China", a political bimonthly magazine, was founded in Taipei."Publisher Hu Shi" is printed on the cover of the publication.The above-mentioned "purposes" drafted by him were printed on the first issue as the publication's declaration advocating anti-communist and democratic freedom; and these four "purposes" were repeatedly published in each subsequent issue as their banner of anti-communist and democratic freedom.

When "Free China" was first published, Hu Shi was far away in the United States, and the "publisher" was actually just a name; Lei Zhen (Jing Huan) was actually in charge.At that time, the Kuomintang government fled to Taiwan was still in shock, and people were in panic. Hu Shi's name was still a symbol of "democracy and freedom" in the minds of the chaotic fugitives, and the publication of a magazine with his name seemed to be a little consolation. Therefore, "Free China" ran smoothly.But Hu Shi has always believed in the words of Confucius: "Names and utensils are the only ones, and fake people are not allowed!" Since he has a name, how can he not actually do it? He mailed several articles from New York to the editorial board, all of which were anti-communist propaganda. ③By June 1951, an editorial titled "The Government Should Not Induce People to Convict" was published in Volume 4, Issue 11 of the publication. Although he also held an anti-communist stance, he also criticized the Kuomintang authorities in Taiwan, so he ran into trouble. Due to government interference, Taiwan's military and political authorities actually issued an official document to arrest the editors of "Free China". On the 12th issue of volume 4, under the pressure and persuasion of all parties, I was forced to publish "Re-discussing the Necessity of Economic Control", a weak text that succumbed to the government and spoke well for the government.This made Hu Shi very angry, so he wrote a letter to Lei Zhen, wanting to resign as the "publisher" and protesting to the Taiwan government.The letter said:

"Free China" cannot have freedom of speech, and cannot criticize actual politics in a responsible manner. This is the biggest shame of Taiwan politics. ...I formally resigned from the title of "publisher". Firstly, I expressed my 100% support for the editorial of "Don't Convict People", and secondly, I expressed my protest against this kind of "military agency" interfering with freedom of speech. ④ The editorial board of "Free China" did not accept Hu Shi's resignation, and "resolved to ask Mr. Hu to continue to lead."

Hu Shi's letter to Lei Zhen had just been published in "Free China", and the publication was banned again. On September 1, the Taiwan authorities resolved: 1. Acquisition of all (the journal); 2. Order to stop publishing in Hong Kong; 3. Order to stop sending to the western United States.It will not open until the 4th. ⑤ After more than a year, Hu Shi did not write any articles for "Free China". On November 19, 1952, at the invitation of National Taiwan University and Taiwan Normal University, Hu flew from the United States to Taipei via Japan to give lectures.That morning, hundreds of people from cultural and educational circles came to Taipei Songshan Airport to welcome Hu. Lei Zhen from "Free China" magazine and Wu Guozhen, chairman of Taiwan Province, also went to the airport to welcome him. The scene was quite enthusiastic.Because Hu Shi came from the United States, although the situation in Taiwan has gradually stabilized, the government authorities and people from all walks of life are very concerned about the United States' Taiwan policy, the international situation and Taiwan's future, and they all want to hear the opinions of Dr. Hu, an "American expert".Therefore, people from all walks of life have placed great hopes on Hu Shi's trip to Taiwan, and they all want to invite him to give a speech, or invite him to have a discussion, or to call on him.In addition to lecturing in schools, there are also a lot of public speeches, almost without interruption, sometimes several times a day.Hu Shi, who used to have a bright voice, also became hoarse, so he had to consult a throat doctor.Although the contents of his speeches are different, they can be summed up in three aspects: (1) advocating anti-communism and anti-Russia; (2) advocating democracy and freedom; (3) advocating academic methods.The records of Hu Shi’s lectures on oratory in Taiwan for a month and a half were later compiled by the Free China Society into “Hu Shi’s Speech Collection” and handed over to Taipei’s Huaguo Publishing House for printing. ⑥ All the royalties were donated to the “Free China” magazine.

Hu Shi's trip to Taiwan this time also has another important task, which is to preside over the commemoration of the third anniversary of the founding of "Free China".It's another speech, another inscription, another group photo, and a discussion.Hu Shi took the opportunity to request to resign as the "publisher" again, because he was far away in the United States and could not bear the responsibility for his speech.The editorial board accepted Hu Shi's opinion at this time, and from the third issue of volume 8, the editorial board was appointed as the publisher, and later changed to Lei Zhen.

In January 1953, Hu Shijin paid a visit to Chiang Kai-shek, who had fled to Taiwan and was reinstated as the "president", and then went to the United States via Japan.After this trip to Taiwan, his support for "Free China" magazine became more active.Not only did he keep sending manuscripts by air, but he also encouraged the grammar students who had studied in the United States to "write articles for Lei Jinghuan". Since then, "Free China" has been quite prosperous and active, and has considerable influence in Taiwan, Hong Kong and overseas. But three or four years later, "Free China" encountered trouble again, and it was caused by Hu Shi, which was even bigger than the previous trouble. October 31, 1956 was the 70th birthday of Mr. Chiang Kai-shek.Jiang had expressed his gratitude and refusal to celebrate his birthday beforehand, and hoped that everyone would ask questions.So "Free China" published a special issue of birthday celebrations, publishing more than a dozen articles by Hu Shi, Lei Zhen, Xu Daolin, Xu Fuguan, Mao Zishui, Tao Baichuan, Jiang Yuntian, etc. offering birthday celebrations.The title of Hu Shi's article is "Two Stories of President Eisenhower to Congratulate President Chiang". For things that cannot be decided at the moment, don't make a judgment lightly, but sign two approval documents of "yes" and "no" with your own signature, and ask Vice President Nixon to choose one.The final conclusion says:

The presidential system in our constitution is a presidential system without real administrative power. Mr. Jiang still has nearly four years in office. Why not try the six-character formula of "no wisdom, incompetence, and inaction" said by ancient philosophers from now on. How about trying to be a head of state who has no wisdom but can control the wisdom of all, and who is incompetent and inaction can control the power of all?⑦ This issue of "Free China" was extremely sensational in Taiwan because of the publication of these research, discussion, suggestion and criticism texts, which no one dared to speak out, and it was printed more than seven times in a row.But it also caused encirclement and suppression by the "military", "party" and "tuan". ⑧They added various charges to "Free China", such as "idea smuggling", "dividing the unity of the Chinese people", "paving the way for the Communist Party's "United Front Work", "attempting to damage the morale of the national army and destroy the unity of the people", etc.He also said that the promotion of democracy and freedom in "Free China" is the Communist Party's "ideological united front method to cover up communism and appear as a disguise of democracy and freedom."He also said that Hu Shi's birthday article called Jiang "a president without wisdom, incompetence, and inaction" in an attempt to reduce "the leader's leadership in anti-communist and anti-Russian forces." , no revolution, no responsibility; no leader, no country, no government".In short, I believe that the birthday special of "Free China" contains the "biggest conspiracy" of the Communist Party. Confidential Special No. 99" "Special Instructions" accuses "Free China" of "using the signboard of democracy and freedom to spread anti-ism, anti-government, and anti-party fallacies", which is "poisonous thinking". In January 1957, the ministry issued a pamphlet titled "Total Attack on Toxic Thoughts", calling President Hu Shih's "Three Noes" an "absurd statement" and "in the name of liberalism, but actually an accomplice of the Communist bandits."It can be seen that the anti-communist Hu Shi and the anti-communist "Free China", in order to talk about freedom and democracy and freedom of speech, were also regarded by the Taiwan authorities as a scourge like the Communist Party! This is the famous "Free China" incident in Taiwan.

At this time, the campaign to criticize Hu Shi's thoughts in mainland China had just passed, and Hu Shi was besieged and suppressed in Taiwan, which lasted for more than half a year. In 1957, Hu Shi wrote to Zhao Yuanren: In the past six months, the so-called encirclement and suppression of the "Free China Semi-Monthly" incident.One of the people who was besieged was me.That's why I decided to go back in the first place. (At least that's one reason I can't not go back.) My point of view is that I have a responsibility, and it may be more important to stay at home than to stay abroad—maybe staying at home or it can make people "take me more seriously". I underscored the world "more" because some people over there are really afraid of what I said, and they really have taken me seriously. Even what I said in 1952-53, they still record it in their accounts and have not forgotten it. ⑨ In April of the following year, Hu Shi returned to Taiwan as expected and became the president of the "Academia Sinica" in Taipei. One night not long after Hu Shi returned to Taiwan, the Free China Society held a banquet for its friends.Hu Shi gave a speech "From Struggle for Freedom of Speech to Opposition Party" at the banquet, openly advocating that intellectuals form an opposition party, and strongly commending Lei Zhen's contribution to democracy and freedom.He said: In the past few years, if freedom of speech has become more common, I think Mr. Lei has contributed the most.I said that Taiwan should build a bronze statue for him to show that he is a real hero, hero, and fighter for freedom of speech. ⑩ Afterwards, "Free China" vigorously advocated Hu Shi's initiative and actively promoted the "New Party Movement".Lei Zhen asked Hu Shi to come out to lead and be the leader of the party, while Lei would be in charge of the actual work.But Hu Shi only agreed to serve as a consultant, but strongly encouraged Lei Zhen to come out and form a party.By 1960, activities to form a new party were quite active. On August 13, a symposium was held in Zhongli for the three counties of bamboo seedlings and peaches. Lei Zhen announced that the new party would be formally established at the end of September or early October. However, when the new party was actively preparing to form, Lei Zhen was arrested on September 4, along with Fu Zheng, the editor of "Free China" and secretary of the new party, Liu Ziying and Ma Zhi, the accountants of "Free China". .After being tried by a military court, Lei Zhen was sentenced to 14 years in prison for the two crimes of "propagating for bandits" and "failing to report the bandits who knew about them", Liu was sentenced to 12 years, Ma was sentenced to 5 years, and Fu Zheng was sentenced to 3 years of probation.Hu Shi was attending the China Education and Culture Foundation in the United States at that time. He called Chen Cheng about Lei's case, hoping for a judicial trial instead of a court-martial. After returning to Taiwan, Lei's case had been sentenced. When he met with reporters, he said: In the eleven years since Lei Zhen organized "Free China", it has become a symbol of freedom of speech in a free China. I once advocated that a bronze statue should be built for him, but unexpectedly he got ten years in prison. This (Hu Shi slapped on the table) is very unfair! Four days after Lei Zhen was sentenced, the China Democracy Party formally established a preparatory committee, but it was finally aborted due to the heavy blow of Lei Zhen's case. "Free China" also stopped publishing because of Lei Zhen's arrest. It lasted 11 years and published a total of 260 issues. In order to fight for a little democracy and freedom of speech in Taiwan, the price Lei Zhen paid was: he was imprisoned for more than ten years! As for Hu Shi, he always felt that "Although I didn't kill Boren, Boren will die by me", I have always been deeply guilty about the Lei Zhen incident, but I can't do anything about it, so that I regret it for the rest of my life. ①This is Lei Zhen’s explanation of Hu Shi’s "The Purpose of "Free China"", see his article "The Purpose of Founding a "Free China"", published in Taipei "Free China" semi-monthly magazine, Volume 16, Issue 6, March 16, 1957 Published. ②This article was published in the first issue of "Free China" as a publication declaration; each subsequent issue will publish these four purposes.The inscription reads "Min Thirty-eight, April and Six, on board." Hu Songping's "Mr. Hu Shizhi's Chronicle and Long Compilation" was dated April 14th. I don't know what evidence? ③From the founding of "Free China" to the beginning of 1950, Hu Shi published articles in the journal: "The Purpose of "Free China", "The Conflict between Democracy and Totalitarianism" (both in Volume 1, Issue 1), "Communist Party There is No Liberty Under Government" (Volume 2, No. 3). ④ This letter was written on August 11, 1951 and published in Volume 5, Issue 5 of "Free China", published on September 1 of the same year. ⑤Refer to the manuscript of "Hu Shi's Diary", Taipei Yuanliu Publishing Co., Ltd., December 1990 edition, Volume 17, translation of a telegram from Hong Kong received by the diary on September 24, 1951. (Third Edition Note) ⑥ "Collection of Hu Shi's Opinions" is divided into two parts, Part A, "Academic Department", published in April 1953; Part B, "Political Issues and Others", published in July of the same year.Taipei Huaguo Publishing House is hosted by Wang Yunwu, who was Hu Shi's teacher when he was studying in Chinese public schools, so he has the priority to print this book. ⑦This article was written on October 21, 1956, and published in the ninth issue of Volume 15 of "Free China", published on November 5 of the same year. ⑧The newspapers and periodicals that participated in the encirclement and suppression of "Free China", such as "Military Friends", "National Soul Magazine", "Youth Warrior News", etc. belong to the "military army"; Fang"; "Youth Teacher" magazine belongs to the "Youth Anti-Communist National Salvation Corps".The speeches that besiege "Free China" quoted below are all from these newspapers and periodicals, without further note. ⑨ Hu Shi sent a letter to Zhao Yuanren on July 26, 1957, see "Hu Shi's Letter to Zhao Yuanren", Taipei Germination Publishing House, June 1970 edition, pp. 128-129. 10 Hu Shi’s speech, recorded by Yang Xinquan, was published in Volume 18, Issue 11 of "Free China", published on June 5, 1958. Hu Shi returned to Taiwan on October 23, 1960. He met reporters that night and expressed his willingness to be a "character witness" for Lei Zhen. The quotation here is quoted from Wen De's article "Lei Zhen, Hu Shi, and China Democracy Party", published in August 1979, Volume 1, Issue 3 of "Eighties".In addition, Lei Zhen was sentenced to 14 years in prison (10 years in the original work), which was modified according to the record in volume 18 of the manuscript of "Hu Shi's Diary" on November 18, 1960.