To the Responsible Cadres of the Eighth Route Army's Rear Garrison Corps[1]

(July 16, 1938)

I

Nationally, mobile warfare is primary, and guerrilla warfare is supplementary. However, in certain times, places, and units—such as the Eighth Route Army in North China during the first stage of the War of Resistance—guerrilla warfare is primary, and mobile warfare is supplementary. This policy was put forward at the Political Bureau meeting of the Central Committee in August last year: "Fundamentally guerrilla warfare, but without letting slip mobile warfare under favorable conditions." The past year has proven that the decision of the Political Bureau meeting last August was correct.

II

Senior cadres in the units issue orders, but at the same time they must unite with the cadres. People have both positive and negative aspects; leadership should primarily pay attention to and develop the positive aspects of cadres and the masses, with less negative criticism and struggle. Develop others' strong points, and do not exaggerate their shortcomings. On this point, Comrade Chen Yun is worthy of our emulation.

[1] Part I is a portion of Mao Zedong's speech on the strategic policy for the War of Resistance when he met with the responsible cadres of the Eighth Route Army's Rear Garrison Corps; Part II is a portion of his speech on leadership methods.