761.93/1709: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union ( Steinhardt ) to the Secretary of State

298. The “article in Pravda on January 26 attacking Chiang Kai Shek for his attitude toward the Communists and the withdrawal of Soviet military advisers at Chungking” referred to in Tokyo’s 240, February 16, 5 p.m., presumably is the Tass despatch from Chungking published in Pravda on January 27 and reported in my 175, January 27, 6 p.m.16

[Page 911]

A careful re-check of Pravda for 26 and 27 fails to disclose any attack on Chiang Kai Shek or any reference to the withdrawal of Soviet military advisers at Chungking. It is possible, therefore, that Domei or other agency based on the Tass despatch in question may have been exaggerated when published in the Japanese press.

A review of the Embassy’s newspaper files indicates that no article has been published recently in the Soviet press attacking Chiang Kai Shek or criticizing the disbandment of the 4th Army or disclosing the withdrawal of Soviet military advisers at Chungking.

Repeated to Tokyo.

Steinhardt
  1. Latter not printed.