To Ye Jianying on the Four Proposals Submitted to Nanjing

(October 14, 1936)

Jian:

A. Delay Hu Zongnan’s offensive so that we can keep the Xi’an-Lanzhou highway in our hands before November 15, in order to allow the Second and Fourth Front Armies to rest, reorganize, and smoothly carry out new tasks.

B. The following has been submitted to Nanjing:

First, the Japanese bandits are advancing ever more urgently; our side is willing to assist with full strength and hopes that the Nanjing side will uphold the national stand and make no concessions that would compromise sovereignty.

Second, our side will take the lead in ceasing attacks on the Guomindang armies, adopting only a defensive policy while awaiting peace negotiations to concentrate forces for resisting Japan.

Third, in order to bring about peace negotiations at an early date, we request that Chiang temporarily halt the military offensive under any appropriate title, so that negotiations can begin. If one side attacks while the other negotiates, such reasoning seems untenable.

Fourth, before the offensive has ceased and before Enlai has gone out, we plan to send Comrade Pan Hannian, who is in Shanghai, to conduct preliminary negotiations. Please inform Yi [1] of this and pass it on to Nian [2].

C. On what day will Nian go to Shanghai, and on what day will Yi go to Nanjing?

Dong
October 14, 16:00 hours

[1] Refers to Zhang Xueliang.
[2] Refers to Pan Hannian.