LETTER TO THE SPANISH PEOPLE
15 May 1937
[Text] To the armed comrades of the Spanish people!
We of the Chinese Communist Party, the Chinese Red Army, and the Chinese
Soviet hold the view that the war being fought under the leadership of the
Spanish government is the most sacred one in the world. This war is not only
being fought for the very existence of the Spanish nation, it is also a war
fought on behalf of the oppressed peoples of the world. This is so because
the Spanish people and its government are resisting the Italo-German fascist
imperialists and Spanish rebels who are destroying world civilization,
culture, and human justice. The Spanish government and its people are now
fighting the Italo-German fascist imperialists who are now going all out to
support the fascist imperialists of Japan who are attacking China in the
Orient. The fascist imperialists of Japan are putting all their effort into
China. After forcefully occupying our Four. Northeastern Provinces, they
launched their aggression against north and central China. Without the help
of the Italo-German fascist imperialists, the Japanese fascist imperialists
would not be launching such frenzied offensives against China as they are
doing today.
The Chinese Communist Party is in full concurrance with the unification of
all parties and factions on the people's front. Furthermore, we are also
calling upon all parties and factions in China to unite and form a national
unified front to oppose the Japanese fascist imperialists. This work is
being carried out with utmost urgency. A victory for us will be a blow against
the Japanese fascist imperialist, and this will also help the people of Spain
and its government.
We believe that the struggle of the Chinese people cannot be separated from
the struggle of the Spanish people. Today, the Chinese Communist Party is
using its struggle against the Japanese fascist imperialists to help and
encourage the Spanish people. The Chinese Communist Party, the Chinese Red
Army, the Chinese Soviet, and the Chinese people are deeply moved by your
victories on the northern and southern fronts and in protecting Madrid. The

newspapers in our Soviet areas daily publish news concerning your heroic and
courageous struggle. We are firmly convinced that the unification of all
parties in your people's front is the foundation for your final victory.
We unreservedly concur with the 10 major guidelines set forth by the Spanish
Communist Party.

Besides pointing out the similarity between your struggle and the struggle
we are engaged in the East, we would like to mention that Trotskyite bandit
elements have infiltrated our ranks. Only by resolutely opposing these internal renegades can we consolidate our fronts, and by launching a struggle
opposing our own enemies we are also helping you in your struggle in Spain.

In China there are over 100 different newspapers and periodicals that publish
news, articles, and photos and they are sympathetic with your heroic struggle
for democracy and freedom. We know that your victory will directly assist
us in our struggle against the Japanese fascist imperialists. The cause you
are struggling for is our cause, too. We read with deep emotion about the
International Brigade composed of people from various countries of the world,
and we are very happy to learn that there are Chinese and Japanese participants.
Many comrades of the Chinese Red Army are willing to go to Spain and join
you in your struggle, and not a day passes without their discussing your
struggle and the situation in the entire country of Spain. If there had not
been the Japanese enemy to be dealt with, we would certainly have joined
your ranks.

You all know that the Chinese Red Army has gone through 10 years of ceaseless
warfare of the most difficult kind. There were no resources, hunger and cold
were constantly with us, and there was no supply of arms and ammunition.
But
in the end we finally won our present victory. We understand that you and
your troops are going through the same difficulties we experienced, but we
believe that you will be victorious. Our 10-year struggle has taught us that
if a revolutionary people and army oppose an enemy unwaveringly and without
fear of difficulties, they will be certainly victorious.

We, the Chinese Communist Party, the Chinese Red Army, the Chinese Soviet,
and the Chinese people, extend our deepest comradely respect to the heroic
men and women of Spain who are fighting for their democratic system. Through
them is expressed the spirit of unlimited unity and friendship of the oppressed
nations of the world. As we had done before, we shall continue to keep our
attention focused every hour, every day on the course of your struggle, and
we shall be happy and joyous with all the victories you win, and we believe
that final victory will definitely be yours.

15 May 1937
Yenan, Shensi Province

Collected articles of Mao Tse-tung, The Ta-chung Publishing Company
December 1937
National Savior Daily, Vol 123, Paris National Savior Daily
18 September 1937