On the Question of Our Work Policy Regarding the Conflict Between the Old and New Armies in Shanxi

Telegram to Zhu De and Others[1]

(January 31, 1940)

Zhu, Peng, Yang, He, Guan:

A. According to news from Wang Shiying’s side, there is still no unified view within Yan’s [Xishan] inner circle regarding the stance toward the New Army, and Yan himself feels that resolving the New Army issue is already beyond his own power. He also still has misgivings about colluding with the Central [Government]. Therefore, the struggle between Shanxi and the anti-New Faction may remain in a state of paralysis for a period of time.

B. We should take advantage of this state of affairs to carry out the following work:

(1) Consolidate northwestern Shanxi and make it like the Wutai area. Consolidate the New Army and expand our strength.

(2) The leaders of the New Army should initiate a peace offensive, sending open telegrams to Yan and Liang [Huazhi], stating their case with deep sincerity, supporting Yan in the War of Resistance, and explaining that the past conflicts were provoked by the enemy collaborators Wang Jingguo, Chen Changjie, Zhao Chengshou, and Sun Chu. The New Army and the New Faction were entirely on the defensive. Now the New Army is willing to seek a peaceful resolution, under the conditions that: (i) the chief culprits be punished; (ii) garrison areas for the Old and New Armies be delineated; (iii) compensation be provided to the martyred personnel of the New Faction and their families; (iv) Mr. Yan’s Ten-Point Program be resolutely implemented, with the leaders of the New Faction in southeastern Shanxi and northwestern Shanxi respectively coming forward. In addition to open telegrams, declarations may also be issued to the masses and personages from all circles; (v) the slaughter of New Faction personnel be halted and guarantees be given that similar incidents will not occur in the future.

(3) The Eighth Route Army may express to Yan its willingness to contribute to a peaceful resolution. We here have already sent a telegram in the name of Xiao Jinguang to Chief of Staff Chu expressing this intention (this telegram has been forwarded to you). In our opinion, Zhu, Peng, He, Guan

[1] This is a telegram from Mao Zedong and Wang Jiaxiang to Zhu De, Peng Dehuai, Yang Shangkun, He Long, and Guan Xiangying.

On the Question of Our Work Policy Regarding the Conflict Between the Old and New Armies in Shanxi, Telegram to Zhu De and Others may also send a telegram to Mr. Yan. He and Guan in northwestern Shanxi should act openly. The reason for the division headquarters to return is to consolidate the War of Resistance in Shanxi and to mediate the conflict between the Old and the New, unwilling to sit by and watch the northwestern Shanxi base area created by this division be disintegrated. The purpose of doing so is to prepare ourselves to gain a politically advantageous position should peace prove hopeless and armed conflict break out again. Because then it will be easier for public figures to understand that the responsibility for the conflict lies with the Old Faction, and they will express more sympathy for us. Mao, Wang, January 31