Chapter 80 Letter to the Chinese National Revolutionary League[1]

(December 22, 1936) Mr. Chinese National Revolutionary League: I have received your letter and fully agree with the opinions in your letter.We still lack the necessary and sincere connection with the Jinsui[2] authorities, which is very detrimental to the current urgent task of saving the nation.We resolutely declare that we fully sympathize with the determination and actions of the Jinsui authorities, the army and the people to truly resist the Japanese aggressors and defend the territory, and we are willing to assist them with all our strength.In the spring of this year, the Red Army marched east across the river. Its original destination was Jicha[3], and the Japanese invaders were the frontal enemy. Unfortunately, I did not forgive Yan[4] Mr. Jiang Liang. He led the army back west and waited for their understanding. .Although the Red Army is eager to quickly enter the forefront of the anti-Japanese positions, it must first seek the understanding of the local friendly forces. Before obtaining the understanding, the Red Army will never advance rashly.If the Shanxi-Sui authorities are sincere in resisting Japan, and if they deem it necessary, the Red Army should conclude a cooperation agreement with them, which stipulates such matters as dividing lines of defense, mutual assistance, ensuring supplies, and unifying operational command.If this agreement can be concluded and the Red Army enters the Jinsui Anti-Japanese War area according to this agreement, the Red Army should only serve the interests of the Anti-Japanese War, and will never interfere with local administration and will never take any adverse actions against friendly troops.The letter asks about the Red Army's strategic plan in the Northwest. We tell you that the Red Army's only plan is to defend the Northwest and North China. At present, it is concentrated in the Shaanxi, Gansu and Ningxia areas. There is no other intention than this.We have now issued a statement to all the Kuomintang troops in the Northwest: the Red Army will automatically stop attacking them, and only take necessary self-defense measures when they attack, and if they seize their personnel and weapons for self-defense, if they turn to resist Japan, they will all be returned. When they moved to the anti-Japanese positions, no member of the Red Army was allowed to obstruct them in any way, and all possible assistance was required.In short, when this country is in ruins, our wish is to resist Japan and save the nation, and it is only to resist Japan and save the nation.There are still a few people on all sides who have doubts about us, but the long years will prove that what we say is what we do.You have fought for national liberation. On behalf of our party, our government and our Red Army, I would like to pay you a warm tribute. I hope that the two sides will form a solid front and fight to the end to expel Japanese imperialism. First of all, the Jinsui authorities quickly implemented the War of Resistance and established a united front of various factions. We are also doing this in all aspects.Dedicated to reply.Salute to the National Revolution!

Mao Zedong December 22 in the Northern Shaanxi Soviet Area Printed from a manuscript preserved in the Central Archives. -------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ note [1] The Chinese National Revolutionary League refers to the secret political organization of the Kuomintang Democrats established in Hong Kong in 1935 by Li Jishen, Chen Mingshu, Jiang Guangnai, Cai Tingkai, etc. after the failure of the Fujian Incident in 1933. It ran the "National Front" and other newspapers and periodicals to promote anti-Japanese and anti-Chiang. [2] Sui refers to Suiyuan Province, see note [16] on page 371 of this volume.

[3] Cha, referring to Chahar Province, see note [3] on page 382 of this volume. [4] Yan, referring to Yan Xishan, see note [14] on page 371 of this volume.