Uphold the Principle of the United Front in Friendly Army Areas

(December 24, 1937)

To all military and political commanding officers at various levels and all political organs of the Five-County Garrison Area, the Liangyan Headquarters,[1] the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 7th Garrison Regiments, and the Guanzhong[2] Independent Battalion:

1. Expanding and consolidating the united front has always been our central task and guiding principle. Owing to enemy provocation, sabotage by traitors, the fear of mass movements on the part of certain elements, and the growing influence of the Party and the Eighth Route Army, certain weaknesses in the united front in various localities, as well as the narrow views and rigid methods of some comrades, have given rise to certain frictions with friendly parties, friendly armies, and local governments in united front areas adjacent to the border region. The continuation of such a situation may affect unity in the War of Resistance.

2. In order to achieve the goal of expanding the united front, under the slogans of shared responsibility, shared leadership, mutual assistance, and mutual development, we must consult with local working authorities of the united front. In carrying out mass work, we must pay attention to obtaining their consent and cooperation as far as possible. Proceeding from the interests of the War of Resistance, we must persuade them to adopt our opinions and suggestions. If, by any chance, they cannot agree, we should not force the matter but should make temporary concessions.

3. To avoid unnecessary frictions and to reduce possible frictions, the following instructions are hereby issued:

a. Regarding certain weaknesses of friendly parties, friendly armies, and local authorities, we should adopt well-intentioned criticism and suggestions, and avoid ridicule and sarcasm.

b. In addition to propagating the Party’s propositions and the victories of the Eighth Route Army, we should commend and praise the government’s resolve to resist Japan and other good measures and manifestations, as well as the bravery and dauntless spirit of friendly armies in the War of Resistance.

c. When conscription or tax levies cause frictions between the masses and the government, we should mediate between them and avoid antagonism.

d. Assist the government in conscription mobilization and provide necessary guarantees; at the same time, we should request the government to help us fulfill our recruitment and replenishment plans.

e. Within the united front, immediately cease all actions of soliciting contributions and collecting grain. Any grain already borrowed from storehouses must be promptly returned. The confiscation of traitors’ property and the handling and capture of traitors must obtain the government’s consent; it is best to hand them over to the government for handling.

Mao Zedong, Xiao Jinguang, Tan Zheng[3]

The 24th Day

[1] The Five-County Garrison Area refers to the garrison area of Suide, Mizhi, Qingjian, Jiaxian, and Wubao counties under the Rear Area Left-behind Corps of the Eighth Route Army. The Liangyan Headquarters refers to the Eighth Route Army’s Hefang Command Headquarters in Yanchuan and Yanchang counties, Shaanxi.

[2] Guanzhong refers to the vast area north of the Qinling Mountains and south of the Huanglongshan-Qiaoshan Mountains in the Wei River basin, Shaanxi. At the time, troops of the Eighth Route Army’s Left-behind Corps were stationed in the northern part of the Guanzhong area. The Guanzhong Area was one of the six military command areas designated by the General Staff Department of the Central Military Commission within the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region.

[3] Xiao Jinguang was then Commander of the Left-behind Corps of the Eighth Route Army. Tan Zheng was then Deputy Director of the Political Department of the Eighth Route Army.