Chapter 25 Part Three: The New Soviet-Russian Problem of Opening up Literature and Art

The discussion on the issue of Chibai, the enemy of the Soviet Union, was initiated by Xu Zhimo's friend Zhang Xiruo. On October 6, 1925, less than a few days after taking office, Xu Zhimo published Chen Qixiu's "Is there a difference between white and red imperialism?" in the social column of "Morning News"? 》This article questioned the view of "the Soviet Union is also imperialism" in the Chinese intellectual circles at that time. It did not advocate that the Soviet Union should be regarded as imperialism or an enemy. It also praised the Soviet regime and believed that the Soviet Union was a friend of the Chinese. .

Zhang Xiruo, a professor of political science at Tsinghua University who was dubbed a "cannon", immediately wrote "Is Soviet Russia Our Friend?" to refute it.His article was published on the headline of the "Morning News Supplement" on October 8.He believes that Soviet Russia's attitude towards China is: "In the name of communism, for their own self-interest, in a country where our situation is very different, young people with weak judgment, scholars with little knowledge, and selfish interests are used. The politicians and people who make trouble are our enemies. Mr. Chen said that although the Soviet Union is not an imperialist enemy, it has done more harm to China than the imperialist enemy. We guard against him more than against imperialism The enemy should be more strict."

As a result, the two sides caused a big debate on political issues. A week later, Xu Zhimo set up two special columns in the "Literary and Art Column", "Discussion on the Issue of Soviet Russia's Enemies" and "The Enemy Chibai's Enemy Chibai", to focus on publishing manuscripts with different opinions.At the same time, Xu Zhimo set up a "special account for discussing issues with Russia" in the "social column", which triggered a lively political debate. The controversy lasted for nearly two months, and the "Morning News Supplement" published nearly 30 articles of various types, among which Zhang Xiruo had the most articles, as well as Liu Mianji, Xu Zhimo, Liang Qichao, Zhang Weici, etc.

As the discussion organizer and moderator, Xu Zhimo, in "Chouyou Chibai's Chouyou Chibai Preface" on October 22, the first thing he wanted to declare was the "Morning News Supplement" (every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday It was edited by Xu Zhimo, and it has nothing to do with himself) is by no means a propaganda organ of any party; writing and selecting articles for "Morning News Supplement" is Xu Zhimo's privilege and responsibility, which is completely excluded by himself. When the owner of The Morning Post interfered with him one day, it might be the time when he resigned, because he couldn't bear partial trust. Xu Zhimo absolutely doesn't care about the "Morning News"'s own claims, and he doesn't care about it, and he doesn't want to care about it.All he knows is that he edits the four weekly supplements according to his own standards and abilities.It is Xu Zhimo's credit for doing it well, and Xu Zhimo's guilt for doing it badly, and no one else can share it.

For example, on the China-Russia issue under discussion this time, Xu Zhimo is confident that he has no prejudices.Xu Zhimo said that he clenched his fist every day and asked that what this era wants is only a faithful thought, not any tendency.Anyone who wants to understand his "From Novels to Big Events" last week will recognize Xu Zhimo's evaluation criteria.Xu Zhimo hates all activities motivated by self-interest, hates falsehood, ignorance, cowardice, obscenity, intimidation and framing.He loves truth, truth, courage, frankness, and all honest thought.Xu Zhimo once published Zhang Xiruo's article against the Russians helping the Chinese enter heaven, because he believed that Zhang Xiruo's views were at least independent, free of other motives, and faithful.He may be wrong, he may have things he doesn't see, who knows; but at least his argument is completely true to himself.At the same time, Xu Zhimo will never refuse to refute his article, as long as the comer meets his standard-faithfulness.Some of the manuscripts that Xu Zhimo did not publish were because they did not have any new discoveries or were too unclear; but he never made a choice based on pros and cons.Zhang Xiruo initially said that "Morning News" should not publish articles that favored or implied Soviet Russia, but Xu Zhimo didn't think so.His friends are just the few "I love" listed above; his enemies are just the few "I hate" listed above.This standard seems vague and far-fetched, but Xu Zhimo couldn't think of a more reasonable standard.

Jiang Shaoyuan said that Xu Zhimo "has not lost the heart of a child", and he felt that it was comforting, because Xu Zhimo could trust that he did not mix "Ellen" into his words.With this "innocent heart", if he really hadn't completely lost, Xu Zhimo would dare to meet everyone. Xu Zhimo has specially created this column of "Friends of Chibai's Friends of Chibai", which is dedicated to publishing issues about Sino-Russian relations and even China's future national destiny. I hope that friends in China who have the privilege and responsibility of thinking will discuss together this big event.

Xu Zhimo paid more attention to his neutral position in this discussion. In addition, he also showed a clear tendency to reject the Soviet Union.Xu Zhimo wrote "The Anniversary of Lenin's Death—Talking about Revolution" and published it in the "Morning News Supplement" on January 21, 1926.In this article, Xu Zhimo comprehensively expounded his basic views on Marxism. He said: "I am an individualist who cannot be taught." Based on his belief in individualism, he does not believe in the Marxist theory of class struggle.Due to Xu Zhimo's political leanings, the issue of Chibai, the enemy of the Soviet Union and Russia, was included in the supplement, and the opinion of "anti-communist hatred of the Soviet Union" had a slight upper hand.