Morris 'Two-Gun' Cohen (Part 1)

Summary

The transcript follows the story of Morris Cohn, a man with a criminal past in Canada who finds himself at a crossroads in life. After being pursued by the law, Cohn leaves for China in 1922, where he connects with the Chinese nationalist movement. Tasked with securing a railroad contractor for Sun Yat-sen's organization, Cohn leverages the opportunity to integrate himself into the political scene. The story reveals Cohn's complex character, his involvement with the Chinese community, and his hidden motives as he navigates his way into China's revolutionary politics.

Takeaways

• 😀 Morris Cohn's early life in Canada was marked by crime, gambling, and dishonesty, which severely impacted his reputation.
• 😀 In the early 1920s, the heat from local law enforcement in Edmonton made it difficult for Cohn to continue his criminal activities.
• 😀 Morris Cohn, who had little to no formal skills, was forced to leave Edmonton and decided to head to China in 1922.
• 😀 Cohn was sympathetic to the Chinese community and had close connections with Chinese immigrants across Canadian cities like Saskatoon, Edmonton, Calgary, and Winnipeg.
• 😀 Despite being a misfit in both Chinese and Canadian societies, Cohn found common ground with the Chinese community, forging important relationships.
• 😀 Cohn's knowledge of China’s politics came from his association with influential figures like Ma Sam and the Teung Mong Hwa society.
• 😀 In 1922, Cohn sailed to China with a hidden agenda, aiming to use a railroad contract to secure a position within Sun Yat-sen's nationalist movement.
• 😀 Sun Yat-sen, who had passed through Edmonton previously, knew of Cohn through correspondence and asked him to help with securing a contractor for a railway project.
• 😀 Morris Cohn successfully found a contractor to build a railroad line between Canton and Hankou and secured a contract to be delivered to Sun's people.
• 😀 The episode foreshadows Morris Cohn's next steps as he prepares to engage further with Sun Yat-sen’s organization, signaling a major shift in his career.

Q & A

What were the circumstances surrounding Morris Cohn’s early life and criminal activities?

Morris Cohn led a life of crime, engaging in dishonest activities such as gambling, thieving, and scamming. He had no particular skills or aspirations and was known for his reputation among local law enforcement. By 1922, he was 35 years old, broke, and facing increased scrutiny from the police in Edmonton.

Why did Morris Cohn leave Edmonton in 1922?

Morris Cohn left Edmonton because the local police were intensifying their surveillance of him, making it difficult for him to continue his criminal activities. Faced with no prospects and a strained relationship with the law, he decided to leave for China.

What led to Morris Cohn's connection with the Chinese community in Canada?

Cohn had a unique relationship with the Chinese community in Canada. Despite not being fluent in Chinese, he sympathized with the Chinese immigrants, who were often scapegoated and mistreated. This connection grew as he interacted with Chinese immigrants in cities like Edmonton, Saskatoon, Calgary, and Winnipeg.

How did Morris Cohn become involved with Sun Yat-sen's nationalist movement?

Morris Cohn's association with Sun Yat-sen's movement began through his connection with Chinese nationalist supporters in Canada. Although Cohn never met Sun Yat-sen directly in Canada, the two communicated by letter, and Cohn was later asked to help with a project to build a railroad in China, marking the start of his involvement with the movement.

What specific task did Morris Cohn take on when he arrived in China in 1922?

Upon arriving in China, Cohn was tasked with sourcing a North American contractor capable of building a railroad between Canton and Hankou. He successfully identified a contractor and helped facilitate the bidding process for the project.

How did Morris Cohn view his own role in the Chinese nationalist movement?

Morris Cohn saw his role as more than just a contractor facilitator. He hoped to leverage the railroad contract as a stepping stone to secure a more permanent and influential position within Sun Yat-sen's nationalist organization.

Why was the railroad contract so important to Cohn’s career?

The railroad contract was crucial for Cohn as it provided him with a way to enter the political and business circles of Sun Yat-sen's nationalist movement. By successfully facilitating the deal, Cohn hoped to gain favor and establish himself as a trusted ally within the movement.

What was Morris Cohn’s relationship with the police in Edmonton like?

Morris Cohn had a strained relationship with law enforcement in Edmonton. His criminal activities were well known, and by 1922, the police were actively monitoring his actions, which ultimately forced him to leave the city and seek refuge in China.

What did the Chinese immigrants in Canada think of Morris Cohn?

Chinese immigrants in Canada viewed Morris Cohn as someone who sympathized with their struggles and understood their plight. They likely saw him as an ally due to his willingness to assist them, despite not sharing their language or background.

How did Morris Cohn’s past influence his decisions once he arrived in China?

Cohn’s criminal past and experience as an outsider likely influenced his desire to find a way to secure a more stable and prosperous future in China. His dealings in the Chinese nationalist movement were driven by his need for a career shift, as well as the opportunity to escape his troubled past in Canada.