To Generals Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng:

(A) On the day of the uprising, the arch-criminal was apprehended. The whole nation sympathizes with the cause of resisting Japan and saving the nation. We, leading the entire Red Army and the people of all Soviet areas, resolutely support the revolutionary cause led by you two generals. We humbly present our views as follows.

(B) Japan is determined to pressure Nanjing into expanding the civil war, so as to further its scheme of subjugating our country. A section of pro-Japanese elements in Nanjing, acting on Japanese instructions, continues to pursue Chiang Kai-shek’s policy of peace externally and war internally, preparing to exert massive pressure on the Northwest. However, the masses of the nation, the majority of the Kuomintang, and the powerful military leaders in various provinces all earnestly desire an end to the civil war and unity in resisting Japan. They warmly welcome the anti-Japanese uprising in Xi’an and oppose the schemes of Japan and the Chinese traitors.

(C) Our course of action should immediately proceed with the following measures to respond to the emergency:

(1) Immediately proclaim the formation of the Northwest Anti-Japanese and Suiyuan-Assistance Allied Forces, with Zhang Xueliang as Commander-in-Chief of the Northwest Anti-Japanese Allied Forces. The Northeastern Army shall be reorganized as the First Group Army of the Northwest Anti-Japanese and Suiyuan-Assistance Allied Forces, with Zhang Xueliang concurrently serving as its Commander-in-Chief. The 17th Route Army shall be reorganized as the Second Group Army, with Yang Hucheng as its Commander-in-Chief. The Red Army shall be reorganized as the Third Group Army, with Zhu De as its Commander-in-Chief. Establish a Northwest Anti-Japanese and Suiyuan-Assistance Military and Political Committee, with senior generals from the three group armies as its members, three to five from each group army. Zhang Xueliang, Yang Hucheng, and Zhu De shall form the Presidium, with Zhang as Chairman and Yang and Zhu as Vice-Chairmen, to unify military and political leadership. If the above organizational structure is agreed upon, it shall be immediately proclaimed to the entire army and the whole nation in the name of the Tripartite Joint Conference for Anti-Japanese National Salvation. Furthermore, we should do our utmost to win over Mr. Yan Xishan and other patriotic generals nationwide to join, and recommend Mr. Yan Xishan as Commander-in-Chief of the National Anti-Japanese and Suiyuan-Assistance Allied Forces.

(2) Current military steps: The main forces of the three components of the Anti-Japanese and Suiyuan-Assistance Allied Forces should concentrate in the area centered on Xi’an and Pingliang, to boost morale, consolidate unity, engage the enemy in decisive battles, and destroy them one by one. Within the next three weeks, the forces under Brother Yang shall firmly defend the city of Xi’an, while the forces under Brother Zhang and our forces shall undertake field operations. If agreed, the main force of our army can arrive at Xifengzhen within one week, and thereafter either reinforce Xi’an or reinforce Guyuan, depending on the situation. A part of our army shall contain the enemy forces of Hu Zongnan in Dingbian, Yanchi, and Huanxian, while another part shall contain the enemy forces of Tang Enbo in Fushi and Gansu. Brother Wang Yizhe’s forces shall continue to defend Guyuan against Hu’s enemy forces, and Yu Xuezhong’s forces shall continue to hold Lanzhou. As long as we win several battles, we can greatly expand the war situation. Even if there are some setbacks, they will not harm the overall situation. After the first step described above is realized, the second step shall be decided based on the circumstances.

(3) The foremost task at present is to consolidate internally and defeat the enemy. We propose:

(a) Unanimously raise the following ten slogans within the three components of the Allied Forces: Unite the Northeastern Army, the 17th Route Army, and the Red Army! Unite the anti-Japanese armies with the anti-Japanese people! Down with Japanese imperialism! Down with the traitors and national sell-outs! Convene a National Salvation Conference and establish a National Salvation Government! Strive for the people’s freedoms! Oppose Japan’s destruction of China! Oppose the traitors’ expansion of the civil war! Demand an end to the civil war and unity against Japan! Fight to defend China! Fight to aid Suiyuan! Fight to recover the Northeast! Long live the Anti-Japanese Allied Forces! Long live the independence and liberation of the Chinese nation!

(b) Conduct vigorous political agitation within the troops.

(c) Purge the pro-Chiang elements within the troops.

(d) Arouse the fighting courage of the entire army and forge a spirit of unyielding resistance unto death.

The above items are our proposals, which we respectfully submit for your consideration and selection. The moment is pressing and will slip away if slightly delayed. Should you honor us with your wise decision and adoption, it would be a great fortune for our cooperation and a great fortune for the revolution. We await your telegraphic reply.

Respectfully,
Mao Zedong, Zhu De, Zhou Enlai, Zhang Guotao, Peng Dehuai,
He Long, Xiao Ke, Lin Biao, Xu Haidong, Xu Xiangqian

December 14