Conscript the Rich Peasants and Organize
Forced Labor Brigades
Order No. 35 of the Council of People's Commissars
(November 25, 1932)
Now is a tense period in the revolutionary war and there are many pressing tasks.
In order to reduce the burden of war work on the worker and peasant masses, a
special decision has been made to conscript rich peasants into forced labor
brigades to perform various tasks within the Soviet Area, under surveillance by
the Red Guard armies--urban fortification demolition, road-building. inland
transportation, and so on. This kind of forced labor group is composed of rich
peasants conscripted by force. They are to be treated differently from ordinary
transportation teams in every way. The following measures are to be taken:
I. All local governments must organize into forced labor brigades every rich
peasant who is able to work. While they are working, the Red Guard Army is to
be dispatched to oversee them (one Red Guard Army soldier should be sent to
oversee every five forced laborers). They should be sent immediately to tear
down city walls and earthen fortifications., destroy all enemy defense works
previously built within soviet territory, and repair roads and bridges. They should
also take care of transportation along the routes between military depots within
the Soviet Area and a part of the work of carrying heavy and bulky items.
2. As for provisions for the forced labor brigades, they are to bring their own
food. However, if doing transportation work involving more than a two-day
journey, the government can provide them with rice and they can use their own
funds for the rest of their provisions.
The various local governments are expected to carry out the above decisions
immediately and conscientiously.
It is so ordered.
To soviet governments at all levels.
Chairman
Vice-Chairman
Mao Zedong
Xiang Ying
Zhang Guotao