Telegram in Reply to General Cheng Qian,
General Chen Mingren et al.1
(August 16, 1949)
(Xinhua News Agency, August 16, Beiping) Chairman Mao and Commander-in-Chief Zhu today sent a telegram in reply to General Cheng Qian, General Chen
Mingren, and others. The content of the telegram is as follows:
General Cheng Qian, General Chen Mingren, and all commanders and soldiers
who have revolted:
We have received and read the circular telegram sent on August 5, and we
greatly admire and appreciate your stern language and sense of justice. The victory
of the Chinese people’s liberation has become universally acknowledged throughout the world. The running dogs of American imperialism, Chiang Kaishek, Li
Zongren, Bai Chongxi, Yan Xishan, and other remnants of the bandit party are
not willing to admit defeat and still want to put up a last-ditch struggle, but there
is no doubt that they will be swiftly annihilated. Your righteous reputation has led
soldiers from three regions of Hunan to break away from the reactionary camp
and join the people’s revolution. You are welcomed by the entire country as we
look south to Hunan to express our congratulations. We hope you will unify your
subordinates, cooperate closely with the People’s Liberation Army and prepare to
be reorganized into the People’s Liberation Army, and that you will educate your
troops with a revolutionary spirit, reform your work styles, strive to make progress, and fight to annihilate the remaining bandits and liberate the entire country.
Mao Zedong
Zhu De