(May 29,1918)
On May 10, Mao Zedong and other staff members turned all the funds, equipment,
books, and account records of our society over to the safekeeping of the two auditors,
Mr. Yu Heng and Mr. Pi Wenguang.15 Thus, one year’s business of the society ended
on this day, and the work of the former director was completed. First, this term began
with a staff members’ meeting on February 19 that continued carrying on the business
of the society. The overall plan was: (1) that every department should carry on as
in the past; (2) that a deputy director should be elected for the evening school, so
the evening school can be run like a school; (3) that a sports meet and exhibition
of achievements be prepared; (4) that grades be published in the school bulletin (the
magazine has ceased to appear for lack of funds); (5) that more books be obtained
for the library of the society; and (6) that the statutes of the association be revised.
Less than a month after activities began, under the influence of the war, the retreat of
the southern army to defend Hengyang and Yongxing, and the northern army’s arrival
and stationing of troops at our school, the students scattered.16 The one hundred or
so students who remained could not continue their studies, so just like everything else
at the
school, the business of the society came to a halt. At present, all classes under grade
three will be released for a vacation because the school is unable to continue providing
meals. As the students of grade four are about to graduate and leave the school, it
is urgent that we find a way to let them finish as soon as possible. To this end, we
are calling all staff members who are still at the school to meet with the head of the
society. In addition to a formal resolution to turn the business of the society over to
Mr. Yu, Mr. Pi, and the head of the society, they should discuss various issues raised
by Mao Zedong and others.
The first issue is to increase the funds of the society. Nothing can be done without
money. The funds of the society come mainly from three sources: first, the funds left
over from the previous term; second, donations from ordinary members (schoolmates);
third, contributions from sponsoring members (the faculty and staff). Of the three, the
first is not very considerable, and then it is necessary to turn it over to a successor.
Unless there is a special reason, this money should not be spent. The second source is
the money collected, based on the statutes of the society, from the annual membership
activities carried out by Mao Zedong when he was in charge of the students’ society, but since these
records were written by other people, they are not included in the Wengao.
fee of twenty cents per person. Last year, the annual membership fee was decreased to
20017 per person. The total amount collected was less than 100 strings. Paper silver
currency converts to silver dollars at 30 percent of face value, while paper copper
currency is worth 40 percent of its face value. The third source can generate a little
more money. If each individual gives 2 yuan, and there are sixty contributors, the total
amount could reach 120 yuan. But these are voluntary contributions in paper currency,
so it is not possible to predict how much money will actually be collected. This year,
because of the impact of the current situation, we have collected a total of only 2
yuan. Looking at the matter in the light of these facts, how can our society, lacking
a regular, and fairly reliable income base,18 carry out all of its activities, and
make successful progress in reform? This year, for instance, because these funds are
insufficient, we have to be frugal in everything, and some things, for which costs cannot
be cut, will have to be abandoned when there is too little money. This year, we had
two plans, to publish a magazine and to purchase more books for the library, but even
though both of these were truly most advantageous things, they could not be done for
lack of funds. Similarly, the evening school, which helps poor people who do not have a
chance to go to school, and which in fact is an extremely important public service, can
scarcely be run well, even if the spirit is there, because it has not really been able to
establish its own independent funding, and must look to the Normal School for small
donations just to survive. In addition, there is another matter, namely, the plan for
an independent office of our society, to maintain links with schoolmates who have
already graduated from our school, in order to promote the study and development
of education throughout the province. This certainly cannot be undertaken without
a large sum of money. In my view, therefore, the original rule in our statutes of 20
cents per person for the annual membership fee should be restored, and the initiation
fee of 50 cents should be doubled to one yuan in silver dollars. It should be paid along
with the identity card fee by everyone on entering the school, making a total of 2 yuan.
With one yuan as the initiation fee and one yuan as the annual subscription, a person
who stays in the school for five years will receive so many benefits from the society
that it is really not excessive to ask everybody to assume this obligation on entering
the school. Thus, if we have two classes every year, of 60 people each, that will make
120 people, from whom we will be able to collect 240 yuan, moreover in cash. By thus
increasing the fund for annual expenses as much as possible, we shall have more than
enough. Then the money left over from the previous term, and the money donated by
the sponsoring members, can be used to set up an independent society office. Thus
all aspects of this matter will be adequately dealt with, the task of management will
certainly not be excessive, and our successors will have the good fortune to take over
and complete the work.
The next issue is to set up a communications department.19 As specified in our
statutes, the organization of our society is composed of two parts: those who are still
in the school, and those who have already graduated. Thus, to maintain links with
people both inside and outside the school, to encourage the exchange of ideas between
new and old students, and to plan ways for combining theory and experience is of great
significance. The actual situation in our society at this moment, nevertheless, is that
not one of the existing fifteen departments can be expected to establish liaison with
the graduates. Even the department of educational research is not really able to carry
out this task. It is evident, therefore, that we have one-sidedly put the emphasis on the
students who are in school, while neglecting the graduates, and the latter, though they
have a deep love for their alma mater, have no way to express it. In schools in different
countries, East and West, there are very strong feelings between teachers and students,
and among the students themselves. They are anxious to keep in touch with each other,
and opportunities for liaison are numerous. Thus, it is common for the graduates of a
school to support and promote its expansion, and for schoolmates, even though living
in different places, to maintain their ties, encouraging and learning from each other.
For example, Yale University of the United States, which has a branch school in our
province, is a case in point.20 But for schools in our country, the situation is just the
opposite. The students have a mechanical relationship with each other while they are
in school, but once they graduate, their relationships are over, and there is no contact,
no unity, and no desire whatsoever to work together out of love for their alma mater.
What a pity! As a normal school, our need to maintain liaison is more urgent than in the
case of other schools. In education, it is important to compare and observe what others
are doing, to exchange information, and to discuss methods. Since our school is located
in the provincial capital, it is the pivot of popular education for the whole province. If
we make contacts effectively, and do our research properly, it will not be hard to give
education a bright new outlook throughout the province. Recently, some schools, such
as First United Middle School, have established alumni associations, surveyed their
graduates, and displayed the results with illustrations and tables that immediately
elicit memories of their old school days and inspire them to develop further. Some
time ago I went to the Changjun Alumni Association, where I met the secretary, Mr.
Li, and asked him about how they do this. Since my return, I have been thinking about
using their method and setting up a communications department. I planned to present
this idea to the administration and to my fellow schoolmates but procrastinated and
never did it. Today, as we are about to leave our positions, we only hope that all of you
who will take over after us will do your best to accomplish this. The broad outlines of
how to go about it are sketched out below:
The specific rules of a Communications Department
Article One — This department is established for the specific purpose of maintaining
liaison with graduates, in order to plan for educational reform and universal education.
Article Two — There shall be one director of this department, to be chosen from
among the graduates who are living in the vicinity of the provincial capital. There shall
also be a number of staff members, selected from among the graduates, one graduate
from each class, as well as two current students in the school.
Article Three — The activities of this department shall be as follows:
1. To make preparations for an office for the society;
2. To conduct a survey of the past and present circumstances of graduates;
3. To make arrangements for graduates visiting our province;
4. To prepare and distribute reports.
Article Four — Every graduate is expected to assume the obligation of writing at
least one letter a year to the society, providing us with information about himself and
his places of residence, past and present, to facilitate the publication of the report.
Personal information should include the following items:
1. Name;
2. Other names used;
3. Age;
4. Native place;
5. Residence;
6. Mailing address;
7. Past circumstances;
8. Present circumstances.
Article Five — The report shall include tables based on the individual reports
submitted by the graduates, along with information about the recent operations and
activities of the society. The report will be published and sent to the graduates.
Article Six — In accordance with the statutes, each graduate shall pay annually a
membership fee of 20 cents in cash. He shall also make a donation of one percent of

--- Notes

15 Yu Heng, hao Shaoqin, was from Pingjiang, Hunan Province; Pi Wenguang, hao Liukun, was
from Yuanjiang, Hunan Province. Both of them were students of First Normal School and worked as
auditors in the students’ society.
16 The reference is to the war waged in Hunan in the spring of 1918 between the southern “Law-Protecting Army” and the northern warlords. The southern army was defeated, and on March 31,
the northern warlords headed by Zhang Jingyao entered Changsha. Zhang’s younger brother, Zhang
Jingtang, quartered his troops in First Normal School. For a detailed note on Zhang Jingyao and his
brothers, see the text dated January 18, 1920.


17 This must refer to copper cash, as is confirmed by the reference to 100 strings.
18 Emphasis in original.


19 As will be seen from Mao’s discussion of the tasks of this department, it was in effect to be an
office of alumni affairs. We have nevertheless preferred to translate the Chinese title more literally.
20 The branch of Yale referred to here comprises Yale University in Changsha (sometimes known as
“Yale in China”) and the Hunan-Yale Medical School. Both of these institutions were established jointly
by the Yale Overseas Missionary Society (later known as the Yale Society), which had been organized
by a group of graduates from Yale University in America, and the Hunanese gentry.