To Whom It May Concern:  Since the establishment of peace within the country and the sincere unity of the Kuomintang and the Communist Party in launching the War of Resistance against the enemy, the relations between the rear-area troops and the people of the Shaanxi–Gansu–Ningxia Border Region Government, under the leadership of the Central Government, and those between the local forces and the people of the provincial and county governments across the nation have steadily grown more amicable and united. This development is not only a source of great satisfaction for the Border Region but also what all sectors of the country have been calling for and earnestly desiring. For unity enables us to repel foreign aggression, whereas division can only lead to national ruin—this is an immutable truth.

Guided by this principle, our Government and our Office have striven diligently to contribute, however modestly, to the great cause of resisting Japan and building the nation. We are keenly aware, however, that our efforts may fall short and our understanding incomplete, and thus we fear that we cannot fully meet the expectations of the Central Government or the aspirations of the people. We therefore earnestly hope that all parties—government, party, military, and civilian—in every corner of the country will offer guidance at every opportunity, and that any well-intentioned assistance will be most welcome.

Yet the heinous Japanese aggressors well understand that the Border Region is an integral part of the Republic of China and a powerful base for active resistance; every measure taken to strengthen the Border Region works to Japan’s disadvantage. Driven to madness by this realization, they have not only prepared to dispatch aircraft to scatter pathogenic agents but have also adopted a policy of “using the Chinese to control the Chinese,” exploiting traitors and bandits to carry out extensive subversive activities. Moreover, a small number of obstinate elements, heedless of the national interest, have failed to set aside their differences in the face of a common foe and have instead allowed themselves to be manipulated by these traitors and bandits, engaging in every conceivable form of conspiracy and sabotage, sowing discord, and resorting to every possible means to undermine our cause. In the border areas of the Region, they have even resorted to various诡谲 schemes in a bid to stir up antagonism between the Border Region and its neighboring regions. All of these actions, when one considers them carefully, amount to nothing less than playing into the hands of the Japanese; they clearly violate the last teachings of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, run counter to the spirit of sincere unity between the Central Government and Chairman Chiang Kai-shek, and contravene the Program for the War of Resistance and National Reconstruction. If effective measures are not taken without delay, there is grave danger that a single spark may ignite a conflagration, thereby destroying our unity and obstructing the war effort. The very thought of this fills us with profound sorrow!

In order to consolidate national unity, strengthen solidarity, and secure victory in the War of Resistance, our Government and our Office, in accordance with the fundamental principles of the Program for the War of Resistance and National Reconstruction, issued a proclamation on May 15, setting forth four specific directives to inform all military personnel and civilians throughout the Region. The sole purpose of these measures is to eliminate latent dangers, unite the people, and thereby advance the great cause of resisting Japan and building the nation.

We have long admired your ardent patriotism and your tireless dedication to safeguarding and supporting the Border Region. Accordingly, we write to you personally, humbly requesting your wise counsel and guiding advice. Enclosed you will find a copy of the proclamation for your reference. The enemy is deep-rooted and the crisis urgent; only through unity can we survive. Only by sharing the same boat in stormy seas and by working together in a spirit of mutual understanding can we hope to prevail.

With these sentiments,  Respectfully submitted,  Lin Boqu, Chairman of the Shaanxi–Gansu–Ningxia Border Region Government  Xiao Jingguang, Director of the Rear Area Garrison Command of the Eighth Route Army  Republic of China, Year 27, Month and Day •