761.93/1562
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Bullitt) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 9.]
Sir: I have the honor to report certain facts in connection with the rumor emanating from Tokyo on September 24, 1935, to the effect that a soviet government had been set up in Sinkiang.
I have ascertained that this story was based on a telegram from Sakoh, Japanese Counselor of Embassy in Moscow, in which he repeated statements made to him by an informant whom he considered reliable. Sakoh has stated to a member of the staff of this Mission that he knows now that his information was totally false and has so informed his government.
I discussed this subject also with the Chinese Ambassador in Moscow, Doctor Yen, who has just caused an investigation of the situation in Sinkiang to be made by the Chinese Military Attaché in Moscow. The Military Attaché spent two months travelling from one end of Sinkiang to the other and reported, on returning to Moscow ten days ago, that there was no trace whatsoever of Bolshevism in Sinkiang. He reported also that the present Chairman of the Provincial Council, in spite of his Russian guard of soldiers, is a thoroughly patriotic Chinese.
Doctor Yen stated further that one of the leading Chinese generals from Sinkiang had arrived in Moscow last week for medical treatment and that his reports confirmed the statements recorded above.
Doctor Yen said that it was true that the influence of the Russian Revolution was being felt to such an extent that it was now necessary to admit a few Mohammedans to official posts.
Doctor Yen expressed the opinion that the reports of the Chinese military men were probably “too optimistic” but added that he had no evidence on which to base this judgment.
Respectfully yours,