Letter to Yan Xishan Concerning the Peaceful Resolution of the Xi’an Incident, etc.
(December 16, 1936)

To Mr. Yan Baichuan of Shanxi, With Respect:

We have received a telegram forwarded by Peng Xuefeng (Feng), which informs us that your noble cause for resisting Japan and saving the nation soars as high as the clouds. Our side has put forward several proposals; should you kindly approve and understand them, we would be deeply grateful. Following the Xi’an Incident, the situation has taken a sharp turn for the worse. There are a few matters we wish to discuss with you:

(1) The current situation should be resolved peacefully. It is imperative not to reignite civil war, as this would only hasten our mutual destruction. Our side issued a detailed public statement yesterday expounding upon this very point. Given the great weight of your words, we respectfully request that you intercede between Ningxia and Shaanxi: first, cease all military operations, and then proceed to deliberate on how best to handle the aftermath of the present crisis.

(2) At present, the most urgent task is to resist Japan. What is most pressing in this regard is to send reinforcements to Suiyuan. We suggest that the forces currently advancing westward from Ningxia be redirected northward instead. The troops under Generals Zhang and Yang are especially eager to join in this common struggle against the enemy, and the Red Army has long been ready to follow in their footsteps, meeting the national foe somewhere between Suiyuan and Chahar to jointly form an Anti-Japanese Allied Force, with you serving as its supreme commander. All units would obey your commands without question, and as for supplies, the Red Army requires very little—simply providing funds for food rations would suffice, thereby obviating the need for requisitions. Furthermore, there should be absolutely no interference whatsoever with local administration or social order. We earnestly beg for your prompt instructions so that we may act accordingly.

(3) We propose establishing radio communication without delay. Comrade Xuefeng (Feng) has brought along call signs and codes; however, we are unsure whether they have already been activated here. Our radio station has repeatedly attempted to establish contact without success. We trust that you will pay due attention to this matter.

Mao Zedong
December 16th