893.404/86: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Gauss)
307. According to radio reports, there was held at Chungking on March 30 a National Moslem Conference at which General Pai Chung-hsi, Chairman, urged Chinese Moslems to band together in the cause of reconstruction and resistance.
The idea suggests itself that the Chinese Government, by virtue of its having a considerable Moslem population, might be in an advantageous position to appeal to the Moslem world for support of the cause of the United Nations and thus help combat the spread of Axis influence in the Near East. Chinese diplomatic representatives in Mohammedan countries could probably render effective service in this direction. It would be better still if such efforts could be supplemented by selecting unofficial Chinese Mohammedan leaders to make tours to Near Eastern countries for this purpose.
The Department would appreciate an expression of your views on this subject. You may wish in your discretion to discuss it informally with officials of the Chinese Government should a favorable opportunity present itself.