Directive on Overcoming the Tendency of Capitulationism Toward the Kuomintang[1]

(October 13, 1937)

Comrades Xiao Kai and Liu Xiao, and for the information of Bo, Ye, Zhou, Hu, and Lin[2]:

(A) The influence of the national bourgeoisie is growing among some left-leaning leaders and Party members, manifesting itself mainly in capitulation to the Kuomintang, in knowing only how to unite with the Kuomintang and accommodating its demands at every turn, while failing to struggle against its erroneous policies.

(B) The national united front not only does not preclude criticism of and struggle against the erroneous policies of the Kuomintang, but it is only on this basis that the united front can be substantiated and consolidated and made to advance further. Only by making the Kuomintang feel the masses’ dissatisfaction with and pressure upon it can we push it toward a thorough transformation in all respects. Peaceful coexistence with the Kuomintang can only prolong the life of its erroneous policies.

(C) The struggle against the tendency of capitulationism toward the Kuomintang must be initiated. With regard to such errors on the part of individual left-leaning leaders, such as Zhang Naiqi, appropriate criticism should be made in the newspapers. The attitude in criticism should be primarily one of persuasion, and for the time being their names need not be mentioned. Today, such left-leaning leaders are playing the role of leading the revolutionary masses toward the bourgeoisie.

(D) After its defeat in North China, the Kuomintang’s arrogance has been greatly deflated. Within its ranks, the strength factions such as Chen Cheng, Hu Zongnan, and Wei Lihuang are all expressing dissatisfaction with the Kuomintang’s old policies. Furthermore, owing to the exemplary role of the Eighth Route Army in North China
and the changes in the international situation, we are in a position of complete political superiority. Therefore, we should lose no time in adopting an offensive of criticism and struggle against the erroneous policies of the Kuomintang, with the main direction being first the reorganization of the Kuomintang, and then extending to the reorganization of the government and the remolding of the armed forces. This will not lead to a split in the cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, but will instead promote its further development.

Luo Mao

October 13

--- Notes

[1] This is a telegram from Mao Zedong and Luo Fu (Zhang Wentian) to Pan Hannian and Liu Xiao.

[2] Referring to Bo Gu (Qin Bangxian), Ye Jianying, Zhou Enlai, Hu Fu (Liu Shaoqi), and Lin Boqu.