K. This is the 1st working draft of vol. VI. It still ... - From Marx to Mao

232 MAO TSE-TUNG
the appendix.
All the people of both sexes from the ages of sixteen to fortyfive
must be organized into anti-Japanese self-defence units, the
basis of which is voluntary service. As a first step, they must procure
arms, then they must be given both military and political training.
Their responsibilities are: local sentry duties, securing information
of the enemy, arresting traitors, and preventing the dissemination
of enemy propaganda. When the enemy launches a guerrillasuppression
drive, these units, armed with what weapons they have,
are assigned to certain areas to deceive, hinder, and harass him.
Thus, the defence units assist the combatant guerrillas. They have
other functions, too. They furnish stretcher-bearers to transport the
FROM MARX
TO MAO
wounded, carriers to take food to the troops, and comfort missions
⋆
to provide the troops with tea and rice. If a locality can organize
such a self-defence unit as we have described, the traitors cannot
hide nor can bandits and robbers disturb the peace of the people.
Thus, the people will continue to assist the guerrilla and supply manpower
to our regular armies. “The organization of self-defence units
is a transitional step in the development of universal conscription.
Such units are reservoirs of manpower for the conventional forces.”
There have been such organizations for some time in Shansi,
Shensi, Honan, and Suiyuan. The youth organizations in different
provinces were formed NOT for the purpose FOR of educating the young. They
have been of some help. However, they were not voluntary, and
confidence of the people was thus not gained. These organizations
were not widespread, COMMERCIAL
and their effect was almost negligible. This
system was, therefore, supplanted by the new type of organizations,
which are organized on the principles of voluntary co-operation and
non-separation of the members from their native localities. When
the members of DISTRIBUTION
these organizations are in their native towns, they
support themselves. Only in case of military necessity are they ordered
to remote places, and when this is done, the government must
support them. Each member of these groups must have a weapon
even if the weapon is only a knife, a pistol, a lance, or a spear.
In all places where the enemy operates, these self-defence units
should organize within themselves a small guerrilla group of perhaps
from three to ten men armed with pistols or revolvers. This
group is not required to leave its native locality.
The organization of these self-defence units is mentioned in this
book because such units are useful for the purposes of inculcating