Letter to Wu Zhipu [1] et al. Concerning the Investigation and Handling of Cases Involving Village Cadres Assaulting and Abusing People (November 29, 1958)

Comrade Wu Zhipu, with request to forward this letter to the comrades of the Henan Provincial Party Committee:  I am sending you a letter [2], from Changge County; it is worthy of attention. Such situations undoubtedly exist only in a small minority of villages—perhaps less than a few percent—but they still require our close attention. They should be thoroughly investigated and studied, dealt with appropriately, and reported throughout the province to draw widespread awareness. It would be even better if the matter could be publicly exposed in the provincial newspaper. However, we must analyze the underlying causes and explain the reasoning clearly, rather than adopting an intimidating approach in both the public announcement and the handling of the case. The resolution should be handled with care. Otherwise, those who have made mistakes—especially comrades whose offenses are relatively minor—may become unduly alarmed. Do you not think so?

At present, in some villages and townships, power remains in the hands of reactionary elements. The incident in Changge County may well be of this nature, though we cannot be certain. It is also possible that the writer has exaggerated the situation, but the tone of the letter suggests that something of the sort has indeed occurred. Only after a thorough investigation can we determine the true facts. Please act as you see fit.

Mao Zedong November 29, 1958, Year £± Based on the manuscript.

Notes  [1] Wu Zhipu was then First Secretary of the CPC Henan Provincial Committee.

[2] Refers to a letter from the masses received by the Pohu People’s Commune in Changge County, Henan Province. The letter describes a very serious pattern of village and team cadres physically assaulting and verbally abusing people. Those beaten included not only ordinary villagers but also Party members, Youth League members, and team-level cadres; many were reportedly fleeing to seek work elsewhere. Some cadres who adhered to Party policy and refrained from violence were themselves branded as lacking sufficient revolutionary zeal by other colleagues. Meanwhile, the commune leadership failed to gain a proper understanding of the situation and indiscriminately criticized these individuals. The letter holds senior leading cadres at all levels, from the county down to the township, responsible for this state of affairs and calls for higher authorities to dispatch investigators to look into the matter.