Considerations on the Timing of Our Army's River Crossing

(April 14, 1949)

To the General Front Committee, with information to the Second and Third Field Armies:

(1) The directive telegram from the General Front Committee dated Mao Wen[1] is excellent. Request the Second and Third Field Armies to follow this directive in explaining to cadres at and above the division level the reasons for postponing the river-crossing time, strengthen combat preparations, and procure more grain, fodder, oil, and salt.

(2) The river-crossing time is still to be implemented on April 22 (Mao Yang) and should not be changed. However, it may be postponed for a few more days, that is, to April 25 (Mao You), or at the latest April 27 (Mao Gan). Whether this will be the case can only be determined around April 18.

(3) Since yesterday (the 13th), the negotiations have entered the formal stage. Our side's draft agreement has been handed over to the Zhang Zhizhong delegation, and a formal meeting has been held by the delegations of both sides. Zhang Zhizhong and others have indicated that they accept our draft in principle, with opinions only on individual issues. However, whether Li, He, Bai, Gu[2] and others in Nanjing can reject U.S. and Chiang interference (which is now intensifying) and be willing to accept it remains to be seen.

[1] Refers to the directive telegram sent by the General Front Committee on April 12, 1949, to the Front Committees of the Second and Third Field Armies and the Party committees of various corps regarding the postponement of the river crossing by one week. The telegram pointed out: This time, our army's postponement of the river crossing by one week is entirely a step necessitated politically and militarily, but it may also easily lead to the danger of slackening combat will and losing direction. Therefore, it is necessary to explain to cadres at and above the division level the reasons for postponing the river crossing and the various preparatory tasks that should be undertaken.

[2] Li refers to Li Zongren, then Acting President of the Nationalist government. He refers to He Yingqin, then President of the Executive Yuan of the Nationalist government. Bai refers to Bai Chongxi, then Director of the Nationalist Army's Central China Military and Political Affairs Office. Gu refers to Gu Zhutong, then Chief of Staff of the Nationalist Army.