All Central Bureaus and Central Subbureaus:
Regarding the question of when Japan will be defeated:
1. When the Soviet Union put forward the proposal to defeat Germany in 1942, it was based on the agreement by Britain and the United States to establish a second front in 1942.2 At that time, we not only could have but should have put forward such a slogan to mobilize every effort. But when Britain and the United States did not open a second front and did not make a new agreement, we stopped propagandizing such slogans. This is an example of how propaganda must vary as the situation varies.
2. When the Soviet Union put forward the above-mentioned slogan on the basis of the agreement with Britain and the United States, our Party accordingly put forward the slogan of defeating Japan in 1943, as we not only could have but should have done. But when Britain and the United States did not live up to their promise, and as a result Germany was not defeated last year, our Party should not have continued to propagandize this slogan. Instead, the Party should have explained to the masses the reason we could not defeat Japan this year and should have encouraged the masses to maintain their efforts to achieve victory. In this regard, the Central Propaganda Department once offered an explanation in its major points of propaganda, and Liberation Daily has also changed its tone since last autumn.
3. There are, however, a few leading comrades in various base areas who even today have not understood the significance of this. Not only did they fail to provide correct explanations; on the contrary, they continued to propagandize mechanically the slogan of defeating Japan this year, thus giving rise to doubts and questions among the people. Because these comrades still did not know how to explain these matters, they repeatedly made inquiries to the Central Committee by telegram. This is to fail to understand that propaganda should vary according to changes in the situation.
4. It is not clear now whether Britain and the United States will open a second front or whether the Soviet Union can independently defeat Hitler this year. The Soviet Union has already put forth the slogan of preparing for the decisive battle, and the strength of the Red Army has increased tremendously. But although there is a great possibility that Hitler will be defeated this year, there is also a possibility that he will not be defeated until next year. If Germany can be defeated this year, then it is naturally possible that Japan can be defeated next year; otherwise, the defeat of Japan will be further delayed. Over the next few months, the propaganda departments of various regions should not emphasize the time of Japan’s defeat. They should wait until the situation in Europe becomes sufficiently clear, and then the Central Committee and Liberation Daily will provide instructions.
5. As for the slogans used in the past, public explanations should be given in localities where many have raised questions and public explanations are required. If there are only a few individual comrades raising questions, their concerns should be answered individually; in localities where no questions are asked, do not give any explanations.
6. All central bureaus and their subbureaus ought to plan on persevering for a long period and prepare for another two or three years of extremely hard struggle. They should also prepare for any possible unexpected change. If victory arrives early, it will do us no harm; if victory is delayed, we will have been prepared in good time, both mentally and in terms of our work.
Central Secretariat
Our source for this text is Mao Zedong wenji, Vol. 3, pp. 17–18, where it is reproduced from a transcript preserved in the Central Archives.
1. This is an intraparty directive drafted by Mao Zedong on behalf of the Central Secretariat.
2. Regarding the second front, see above, the text of February 21, 1943.