Conditions Demanded of Chiang Kai-shek After the Peaceful Resolution of the Xi’an Incident[1]

(January 22, 1937)

Comrade Hannian[2]:

A. In order to avoid civil war and present a united front against the foreign enemy, we do not in principle oppose Chiang’s policy, and we should advise Xi’an to submit to Nanjing’s unified policy. Chiang should show leniency to Zhang and Yang[3] so as to set their minds at ease.

B. However, we must firmly demand that Chiang agree to the following points:

(1) Guarantee that after the peaceful resolution, there will be no further warfare.

(2) Refrain from implementing the policy of “suppressing the Communists,” and guarantee the minimum provisions and funds for the Red Army.

[1] After the peaceful resolution of the Xi’an Incident, Chiang Kai-shek placed Zhang Xueliang under confinement and deployed 25 divisions in Shaanxi and Gansu. Beginning in January 1937, his forces again closed in on Xi’an. At the same time, he sent representatives to Xi’an proposing two peace plans, Plan A and Plan B. Plan A: The Northeast Army would be transferred to Gansu; the Seventeenth Route Army would remain in place under Yang Hucheng’s command. The Red Army would return to northern Shaanxi, and the Central Army would garrison the counties along the railway from Tongguan to Baoji. Plan B: The Northeast Army would be transferred to Henan and Anhui; the Seventeenth Route Army would be transferred to Gansu; the Red Army would return to northern Shaanxi. The Central Army would garrison the counties along the railway from Tongguan to Baoji. Through Zhou Enlai’s mediation and persuasion, Yang Hucheng indicated he could accept Plan A. This text is a telegram from Zhou Enlai and Mao Zedong to Pan Hannian, the Chinese Communist Party’s negotiating representative stationed in Nanjing, regarding the peace talks. Later, Chiang Kai-shek entrusted T. V. Soong to reply to Pan Hannian, agreeing to unite against Japan.

[2] Hannian refers to Pan Hannian, who served from 1936 to 1937 as the representative of the Chinese Communist Party in negotiations with the Nanjing Nationalist authorities to end the civil war and cooperate in resisting Japan.

[3] Zhang and Yang refer to Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng.

Conditions Demanded of Chiang Kai-shek After the Peaceful Resolution of the Xi’an Incident

(3) Temporarily permit a portion of the Red Army to be stationed in southern Shaanxi (it need not be stationed in Shangluo[1]), because Heshui, Qingyang, Zhengning, Chunhua, Fuxian, Fushi[2], and other places are extremely short of grain. They may be relocated elsewhere later.

(4) Order Ma Bufang[3] to cease his attacks on the Hexi Red Army[4].

C. In order to convince the Red Army cadres that Chiang has halted the “suppression of the Communists,” designated defense areas, and issued funds, so as to prepare well for resisting Japan, we demand that Chiang personally reply with a letter to Enlai. We can guarantee that it will be kept absolutely secret, because many Red Army cadres still harbor doubts.

D. There are currently no changes in Xi’an, nor has the Red Army propagandized any alliance with Zhang and Yang. Xi’an has provided one month’s funds, and as a result the Red Army has ceased expropriating from the local tyrants. Chiang should not believe the rumors spread by the pro-Japanese clique.

E. We had no prior knowledge of the erroneous propaganda carried out in Xi’an by the American woman journalist Smedley after the Xi’an Incident. This journalist has now come to the Soviet Area, and we will advise her to speak with caution.

Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai

Noon, 22nd

[1] Shangluo refers to Shangzhou and Luonan in Shaanxi Province.

[2] Fushi is present-day Yan’an in Shaanxi Province.

[3] Ma Bufang was then Commander of the New Second Army of the Nationalist Army.

[4] The Hexi Red Army refers to the Western Route Army, commanded by Xu Xiangqian and Chen Changhao, which was fighting west of the Yellow River.