On the Three Basic Conditions for Talks
About Joint Resistance to Japan
(March 4, 1936, 10:00 A.M.)
To Comrade Bo Gu, and also to Zhou [Enlai]:
1. The following three basic conditions are to be put forward to the other side
as prerequisites for negotiations about concrete measures toward joint resistance
to Japan: (1) Cease all attacks on the Red Army and allow the Red Army's main
forces to assemble in Hebei, first of all to check the advance of Japanese imperialism; (2) Political freedom; and (3) Release the political prisoners.


2. Deng Fa¹ and Jiaxiang2 are both requested to come along to Shilou if
possible.
Peng [Dehuai] has already sent a telegram to Wang Yizhe³ about permitting
Gao Fuyuan to make a trip to the front for the purpose of discussing the question of the movement toward Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong.
Zhang [Wentian] Mao [Zedong] Peng [Dehuai]


Views Regarding Negotiations with
the Nanjing Authorities
(March 4, 1936, 12:00 noon)
To Comrade Bo Gu for transmittal to Elder Brother Zhou Jiwu:¹


1. Your younger brother and the rest of us very much welcome the awakening and expression of wisdom on the part of the Nanjing authorities. In order to
unite forces all over the country to resist Japan and save the nation, your younger
brother and the rest of us wish to start concrete and practical negotiations with
the Nanjing authorities.


2. When our elder brother reports back to Nanjing we hope that he will
earnestly convey our suggestions as follows: (1) Stop all civil war. All armed
forces in the land should unite against Japan regardless of their differences, Red
or White; (2) Form a national defense government and a unified anti-Japanese
army; (3) Allow the main forces of the Red Army throughout the country to
concentrate quickly in Hebei, first of all to check the advance of the Japanese
invaders; (4) Release the political prisoners and allow the people political freedom; and (5) Carry out initial and necessary reform in domestic politics and the
economy.


3. We agree that our elder brother should return immediately to Nanjing so as
to engage quickly in consultation on these matters of vital importance.
Zhang [Wentian] Mao [Zedong] Peng [Dehuai]


Our source for this document is Wenxian he yanjiu, 1985 annual compendium, pp. 179-80.

--- Notes



1. As might have been expected, Deng Fa, the chief of the Chinese Communist
Political Security Bureau, was involved in the negotiations with Nanjing.



1. Zhou Jiwu was a pseudonym of Dong Jianwu, known to Edgar Snow as Pastor
Wang, who was engaged at the time in underground work under the leadership of the
Chinese Communist Party. Regarding his role, see above, the Introduction.




2. I.e., Wang Jiaxiang.



3. Wang Yizhe (1896–1937), zi Dingfang, was a native of Jilin. At this time he was
one of Zhang Xueliang's most trusted subordinates, and served as commander of the
Guomindang Sixty-seventh Army. As noted above in the Introduction, he participated in
Zhang's discussions of April 1936 with Zhou Enlai.



4. Gao Fuyuan was involved in the work of liaison between the Northeast Army and
the Red Army.


Our source for this text is Wenxian he yanjiu, 1985 annual compendium, pp. 180-81.