(October 23, 1937)

To all leading political officers, including Zhong [Hanhua], Du [Ping], and Wang
Hongkui of the 27th Army, Gan [Weihan], Liu [Suichun], and [Chen] Bojun of the
29th Army, and those in the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region, Shenfu, the
Central Shaanxi Plain, northern Shaanxi, and Yunyang:

1. The Japanese bandits have entered and occupied Datong and are now attacking Taiyuan, Suiyuan, and Ningxia. They are trying to begin by taking all of our
North China.
2. The Border Region is very close to the areas that the Japanese bandits are
attacking. As a result of the circumstances already mentioned, it will soon become
a region participating directly in the War of Resistance. Consequently, we must
immediately carry out preparation and mobilization for such direct participation.
3. Preparation and mobilization for direct participation in the War of Resistance
should involve the following:
a. Point out clearly the current situation as regards the Japanese offensive and its
influence on the Border Region. Point out that peaceful circumstances have
already come to an end in the Border Region and it will move into a situation
of direct involvement in the War of Resistance. Carry out this mobilization in
depth among the troops through the Party branches and clubs, and by giving
lectures. Change the old peaceful ideas, strengthen the training, and eliminate
the atmosphere of guerrillaism. Consolidate the forces politically and organizationally so that they will advance toward regular army status.
b. Speed up the wiping out of bandits and exterminate the Japanese invaders.
Within the Border Region we should intensify the consolidation and training
of our own local security troops and strictly carry out reconnaissance.
c. In the economic domain, carry out a savings movement, improve the provisions, oppose embezzlement and extravagance, and conduct strict economic

Our source for this text is Mao Zedong junshi wenji, Vol. 2, pp. 98-99, where it is reproduced from a copy in the Central Archives.