On Preparing a Proposal to Be Submitted to the Third Plenary Session
and on Demanding Zhang Xueliang’s Return to Shaanxi, Among Other Matters
Telegram to Zhou Enlai and Bogu
(January 18, 1937)
Zhou, Bogu:
(A) Regarding the Third Plenary Session, a large-scale leftist movement is currently being organized by the Shanghai and North China factions. The Xi’an side is urged to pay attention to mobilizing the Ningxia–Shaanxi and Sichuan–Guangxi groups. We, too, are preparing to submit a proposal.
(B) Nanjing has been propagating that the “Shaanbei Incident” can be brought to a close once Zhang returns. With Wang Jingwei’s entry into Nanjing, the struggle between the left and right wings is bound to intensify. The civil war is already putting Chiang’s faction at a disadvantage, and the trend toward a peaceful resolution is becoming increasingly apparent. The assumption of office by Yang, Yu, and Sun should be carried out concurrently with the demands for Zhang’s return and for the Shaanxi–Gansu defense zone to remain unchanged. On these latter two issues, no concessions should be made at present. Under the general policy of striving for peace, there remains a possibility of securing their realization.

Lu Mao
January 18, 14:00