761.93/1543
The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (Johnson)24
Sir: You are informed that reports have reached the Department that a secret agreement was concluded in 1932 by General Chin-Shujen, at that time Governor of the province of Sinkiang, and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and that public reference to such an agreement is contained in an article by M. André Duboscq published in the Paris Temps of February 5, 1934, a photo-static copy of which is enclosed for your information.25
The Department would be glad to receive such comments as you may care to make on M. Duboscq’s analysis of the political and economic situation in Central Asia and to have you endeavor discreetly to procure information as to the accuracy of his statement that an agreement had been made between General Chin-Shu-jen and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
The Department would, of course, appreciate receiving in addition any information which you may be able discreetly to procure concerning the provisions of the alleged agreement and as to whether the present Governor of Sinkiang, General Sheng Shih-tsai, as well as the Soviet Government, considers such agreement as being now in force, and also concerning any other agreements that may have been concluded between the Governor of Sinkiang and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
A similar instruction is being sent to the American Embassy at Moscow.
Very truly yours,