NOTICE OF THE FOURTH ARMY HEADQUARTERS OF THE RED ARMY

January 1929

[Text] The principle of the Red Army is to prosecute the revolution for the people's rights. The fame and prestige of the army in western Kiangsi spreads far. The plan this time is to advance in separate groups. The officers and soldiers must obey orders. Fair buying and fair selling, let the facts be the proof. Indiscriminate burning and killing are strictly prohibited. Oppression is excessive in all cases in litigation. The workers and peasants are extremely miserable. Local tyrants and evil gentry lord over the towns and villages. Everyone is angry over the high interests and rents. The soldiers of the White army suffer hunger and cold. The petty bourgeois are overburdened by taxes and levies. Foreign commodities crowd out domestic merchandise. There is no one who does not hate imperialism. The Kuomintang, a bandit party, is completely reactionary. What they say is not what they think, and one cannot be very tough. Sleeping in the same bed, Chiang [5592], Kuei [2710], Keng [4758] and Yen [1051] dream different dreams. The conflicts have arisen and the warlords are encountering bad luck. Like rice which satisfies hunger and medicine which cures illness, the principles of the Communist party are extremely just. The peasants will take over and cultivate the land of the landowners. No debt will be repaid nor rent delivered. The wages will be increased and the bosses will be responsible. Work will be limited to 8 hours. The treatment of the soldiers will be improved. They will have a share in land division. We will accept enemy officers and soldiers, and ask no questions of their prior behavior. The progressive method of taxation is the most suitable, and all harsh taxes and levies will be swept clean. The urban merchants have their aliments and nickels. As long as they follow our principles, we will not inquire into their past activities. We must be strict toward the foreigners. Industrial plants and banks will be confiscated. We will not recognize foreign capital and foreign debts. We will not allow foreign soldiers and foreign ships on our soil. Knocking down the foreign powers, everyone is happy. Quelling the warlords, we must be thorough in eliminating all evil. The whole country will rejoice when China is united. The Manchurians, Mongolians, Mohammedans, and Tibetans will have their own laws. The rancor of the National Government must be eradicated and their chaotic politics cleansed. The workers and peasants of the entire nation must arouse themselves, and the day of seizing political power is

drawing near. The success of the revolution depends on the masses. This notice is published everywhere so that everyone will rise and give attention.

Army Commander Chu Teh
Party Delegate Mao Tse-tung

January 1929, Western calendar

"Notice of the Fourth Army Headquarters of the Red Army," Exhibition Hall of Comrade Mao Tse-tung's Memorabilia