Comment on Suppressing and
Liquidating Counterrevolutionaries

(June 15, 1951)

Source: Xuanji, V, p. 45, Other Chinese Texts: Wansui (1969), p. 9 Wan
(1967a), p. 154. Available English Translations: SW, V, p, 56.

In no way should the policy of “giving two years of reprieve” be taken &
mean that criminals who have committed crimes involving the shedding:
people’s blood or other serious crimes for which the people have demand
that they be executed are not to be executed. To do so would be a mistake. Wé
must make it clear to the cadres and the popular masses in the districts and ViF
lages that in order to assuage the hatred of the people. those whose crimes ami
evil deeds are so great and who have incurred such bitter hatred of the ped ‘>
that unless they were executed the hatred of ses people could not be as

APRIL. — JUNE 1951 / 203

sentence and giving them a two year reprieve, forcing them to take part

death and [making final judgment) on the basis of how they behave,

in labor