SECOND CABLE MESSAGE FROM THE PROVISIONAL CENTRAL GOVERNMENT TO FUKIEN PEOPLE'S REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE'S REVOLUTIONARY ARMY

13 January 1934

[Text] Committee Members Li, Ch'en and Chiang of the People's Government:

Judged on the basis of the present situation, Foochow is about to fall and the People's Government is in danger. In accordance with our bilateral agreement of the past, the Soviet Central Government ventures to make the following emergency proposals to your esteemed government in the spirit of the anti-Japan, anti-Chiang united front:

1. The People's Government should immediately put in practice the people's democratic rights it has promised in its declaration and in the agreement.

2. The People's Government should immediately arm the masses of Foochow and its environs, Ch'uan-chou, Chang-chou and other places, and encourage and support the broad masses in their participation in the anti-Japan, anti-Chiang front to defend Foochow, Ch'uan-chou, Chang-chou and other areas.

3. Encourage the masses to organize at once anti-Japan, anti-Chiang fighting bodies, but do not obstruct or ban the development of such organizations under the excuse of the critical state of the war.

4. There should be practical encouragement to armed organizations of the masses and their anti-Japan, anti-Chiang activities in enemy Chiang's rear (such as the coastal areas of Fukien and Chekiang).

5. There should be determination to purge from your ranks those elements who are ready to capitulate to Chiang Kai-shek or who want to ask imperialism for protection.

6. Conduct propaganda among all officers and men of the 19th Route Army and let them know that only by cooperating to the end with the Soviet and the Red Army can they oppose the Japanese and Chiang. Take all effective measures and united military action.

Obviously, Chiang Kai-shek and Japanese imperialism are coordinating their action with the common object of wiping out the 19th Route Army. If your esteemed government wishes indeed to implement what you have advocated, then our above-mentioned proposal will be the only way to save the People's Government and the 19th Route Army from the present danger. They will also be the final test of your esteemed government's resolve to fulfill the promises made in your own declaration and in the agreement. It should be realized that if an anti-Japan, anti-Chiang front of the masses and the armed forces is truly established, Chiang Kai-shek and the Japanese Imperialists will not be able to rule in peace for long even if Foochow falls, and thus united front will undoubtedly develop steadily day by day throughout the country. Moreover, if your esteemed government is willing to arm the masses and encourage the people of Fukien, first of all the people of Foochow, to defend themselves, there will be new development in the situation and Foochow may not necessarily fall. The matter is urgent. We hope you will consider it and let us have your reply.

Mao Tse-tung, Chu Teh, 13 January.

° "Red China," No 149, 14 February 1934.