The Decision on Political Work
Within the Red Army
Needs to Be Redrafted
(July 15, 1937)
Peng [Dehuai], Ren [Bishi], Yang [Shangkun], and Deng [Xiaoping]:1
1. In view of present circumstances, the decision on political work within the
Red Army needs to be revised so as to make political work once again more
directly oriented toward resisting Japan. We hope that it will be redrafted immediately.
2. The decision on organization is usable [as it stands].
3. In principle, the above two items should be brought to Yunyang2 by Comrade Lin Biao.
Mao
We have translated this text from Mao Zedong junshi wenji, Vol. 2, pp. 3-4, where it is
reproduced from a copy in the Central Archives.

--- Notes

1. This telegram was addressed to the Frontline Headquarters, where Peng was
commander-in-chief, Ren was political commissar, Yang was head of the Political
Department, and Deng was deputy head of the Political Department. The new decision in
question was issued on August 1, 1937.

2. Yunyang was the town in the northern part of Jingyang xian, Shaanxi, where the
Frontline Headquarters was located at this time.