Telegram to Wang Yizhe and Zhang Xueliang on Persisting in the United Resistance Against Japan and Not Being Swayed by Rumors
(February 19, 1936)

Wang Yizhe, and please forward to Zhang Xueliang:

Recent developments: (A) The Hebei-Chahar Political Council has in effect become a second puppet government. Nanjing has decided to establish a local autonomy political council for the Inner Mongolian leagues and banners in Suiyuan Province, which is tantamount to selling Suiyuan to Japan. In Baotou, Wuyuan and other places the Japanese have set up special service agencies everywhere; Japanese military personnel are active all around; and Shandong and Shanxi are following the path of national subjugation of Hebei, Chahar and Suiyuan. The five northern provinces are first becoming the foundation for a northern China state. (B) All of Japan’s actions to destroy China have received the support and endorsement of the Nanjing government and Chiang Kai-shek. To hope that they will rise up to resist Japan is truly as futile as trying to get a tiger’s skin from the tiger. The call by your army and our army for a united resistance against Japan throughout the nation is bound to be deeply hated by the traitor Chiang and his ilk; they will fabricate rumors to slander and undermine the unity between our two sides—this is indeed to be expected. (C) It is hoped that your side will not be swayed by the rumors of wicked people or yield to threats and inducements, and will persist in the stand of united resistance against Japan. Then it will be a great blessing to all. However, we must earnestly and strictly guard against the traitor Chiang’s plots and schemes. We will send Li Kenong to Luochuan immediately to discuss everything in person. Please make arrangements for the meeting.

Peng Dehuai, Mao Zedong
February 19