Reply to Lin Boqu's Telegram[1]

(June 15, 1938)

A. The reactionary behaviour of certain diehards within the progressive elements of the Kuomintang is not surprising, nor should it cause alarm.
B. Opportunities should be taken in various localities to mobilise the masses and deal these diehards a proper blow, pointing out that they are acting against the will of the Central Authorities and against the Programme of Armed Resistance and National Reconstruction, so as to isolate them.
C. The measures recently adopted in the Border Region are merely for self-defence and are by no means intended to set ourselves in opposition to them. At present there is no need for concessions.

[1] On June 13, 1938, Lin Boqu telegraphed Mao Zedong and Luo Fu (Zhang Wentian) and others, reporting that certain Kuomintang diehards in Xi’an were replacing resistance to Japan with anti-communism and attempting to create a situation of compromise with Japan. He suggested that the Party might make possible concessions on certain minor issues in the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region in order to prevent the emergence of a situation of compromise with Japan. This is the main content of the reply telegram from Mao Zedong and Zhang Wentian to Lin Boqu.