To Comrades Zhu, Zhang, and Ren[1]

(August 12, 1936)

Comrades Zhu, Zhang, and Ren:

Regarding the future strategic policy, the following suggestions are proposed:

(1) The First, Second, and Fourth Front Armies have the task of coordinating with Army A[2] to open communication with the Soviet Union, consolidate the interior, dispatch troops to Suiyuan, and establish a Northwest National Defense Government. The execution of this task is to coordinate with and propel the united front of all factions nationwide, achieving the objective of a large-scale War of Resistance Against Japan.

(2) Based on the convergence of the First, Second, and Fourth Front Armies, the alliance of Army A with us, Japan directing Mongol puppet forces to attack Suiyuan and Inner Mongolia in an attempt to sever Sino-Soviet relations, and Chiang Kai-shek’s attention being focused on the Southwest, temporarily unable to attend to the Northwest, the aforementioned task is possible and must be carried out within a relatively short period.

(3) Opening communication with the Soviet Union is a crucial link in realizing the nationwide War of Resistance Against Japan, and first and foremost in achieving a new situation in the Northwest and conducting a partial War of Resistance. The steps are as follows:

A. The Second and Fourth Front Armies shall, as far as possible, seize Minzhou or its vicinity as a temporary base area, control a section of both banks of the Tao River near Minzhou, and after the troops have been fairly well reorganized, dispatch a strong contingent to Longxi to attack Mao Bingwen, seizing the opportunity to annihilate him, with the aim of threatening Lanzhou, so that Army A’s

[1] This is a telegram from Mao Zedong, Luo Fu (Zhang Wentian), Lin Yuying (Zhang Hao), Zhou Enlai, Bo Gu (Qin Bangxian), Wang Jiaxiang, Peng Dehuai, and Kai Feng to Zhu De, Zhang Guotao, and Ren Bishi.

[2] Refers to the Northeast Army.

Li Zhong’s[1] three divisions can all be concentrated in Lanzhou as the strategic hub. Another strong contingent shall be dispatched to Xiahe to attack Hezhou, the hometown of Ma Bufang. One objective is to threaten Qinghai and draw the forces of Bufang[2] from the three prefectures of Gan, Liang, and Su on the western route eastward for reinforcement, so that Army A can send a contingent to take over defense, allowing the three western prefectures to fall into the hands of Army A. The other objective is to annihilate a portion of the Qing Ma[3] forces and compel them to negotiate peace with us. Li Yi[4] currently has representatives with the Qing Ma forces. The above is the plan agreed upon between Li Yi and me. In addition, a smaller contingent shall be dispatched to block Wang Jun along the line of Xili, and personnel shall be sent to conduct diplomacy with Wang, while simultaneously conducting diplomacy with Mao Bingwen. They are all in a state of extreme fear and danger, and there is a great possibility of diplomatic success. The above plan is to be realized in approximately one and a half months. During this period, the Second and Fourth Front Armies shall strive to resolve the two issues of personnel replenishment and clothing and bedding replenishment, so as to avoid certain difficulties when advancing into the relatively impoverished regions of northern Gansu.

B. After completing the above tasks, the three front armies shall converge in northern Gansu, expand the northern Gansu Soviet Area, and prepare to attack Ningxia. This step is to be realized approximately from October to November.

C. Starting from December, among the three front armies, one front army shall assume the task of defending the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Soviet Area and coordinating with Army A to deal with Chiang Kai-shek’s offensive. The other two front armies shall take advantage of the freezing of the river to cross it, annihilate Ma Hongkui, occupy Ningxia, and complete the task of opening communication with the Soviet Union.

(4) The plan for consolidating the interior is as follows:

A. The consolidation of the new and old Soviet areas in northern Shaanxi, northern Gansu, and Ningxia, and the expansion and consolidation of the three front armies, making them the strong leading core of the Northwest situation.

B. The political transformation of Army A and rendering it militarily invincible.

C. The completion of the united front among all factions in the three provinces of Shaanxi, Gansu, and Qinghai, the elimination of reactionary elements in the three provinces, and the initial realization of the democratic program in the three provinces.

D. The realization of the above steps will place the Northwest situation in a consolidated

[1] Refers to Yu Xuezhong.

[2] Refers to Ma Bufang.

[3] Refers to the Qinghai forces of Ma Bufang.

[4] Namely Zhang Xueliang.

position politically and militarily. On the one hand, it will be sufficient to defend against a possible offensive by Chiang Kai-shek turning toward the Northwest after the resolution of the Southwest issue, and sufficient to defend against Japan’s attack on Ningxia, thereby thwarting its attempt to sever Sino-Soviet relations. On the other hand, it will serve as preparation for dispatching troops to Suiyuan, and prepare to propel the anti-Japanese revolutionary transformation of the four provinces of Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, and Qinghai toward a further stage of development.

(5) Armies A and B[1] shall each dispatch a contingent to jointly form an Anti-Japanese Allied Vanguard Army, advance toward Suiyuan, and carry out resistance against the offensive of the Mongol puppet forces of De Wang[2] and Li Shouxin. This action shall be used to call upon the nationwide anti-Japanese movement, propelling it to a higher stage.

(6) All the above steps are for the purpose of forming and consolidating the Northwest National Defense Government, and using this National Defense Government to propel the nationwide united front, creating the foundation for a National Defense Government of the whole country.

(7) The strategy of the Soviet Governments of Armies A and B and the National Defense Government toward Nanjing shall apply the general principles of the united front:

A. Recognize Nanjing as a necessary and primary opponent for conducting the united front, and conduct negotiations simultaneously and separately with Nanjing and with the various factions of the Kuomintang outside Nanjing. Based on the foundation of past negotiations with Nanjing, and under the preconditions of faithfully carrying out preparations for resistance against Japan, implementing domestic democracy, and ceasing the “encirclement and suppression,” agree to negotiate with it on the issue of the unification of the Soviet Red Army.

B. Continue the call for ceasing hostilities, negotiating peace, and urging Chiang to resist Japan. At the current stage, implement the policy of not attacking if he does not come, and for the time being not advancing into Henan. If he comes to attack, then resolutely engage in battle on the one hand, and on the other hand apply for peace negotiations.

C. On the march of the anti-Japanese advance, when encountering Chiang Kai-shek’s troops and other troops, implement the policy of first war and then peace.

D. When on the defensive, use the slogan of opposing traitors sabotaging the anti-Japanese rear area; when on the offensive, use the slogan of opposing traitors obstructing the anti-Japanese advance route. But at all times, adopt the policy of engaging in battle on the one hand and negotiating peace on the other.

[1] Refers to the Northeast Army and the Red Army.

[2] Namely the Mongol traitor Demchugdongrub.

E. Conduct the united front toward the White Army, focusing on its superior officers.

F. All negotiations of the united front shall be conducted with an attitude of sincerity.

G. All the above strategies toward Nanjing are aimed at dividing Nanjing, exposing its deceptions, isolating its leaders, winning over its masses, expelling its traitorous elements, and propelling its patriotic elements, leading it onto the path of genuine anti-Japanese national salvation. At the same time, they shall influence the various factions outside Nanjing, facilitating our negotiations for the united front, seeking convenience for the Party’s activities nationwide, seeking the further development of the people’s patriotic movement, and seeking convenience for creating the Northwest situation.

H. The revolutionary vigilance against the real enemy must not be forgotten.

(8) The above opinions are submitted for the consideration of the three comrades. Awaiting your reply by telegram.

Luo, Yu, En, Bo, Jia, Huai, Kai, Ze

August 20