893.00/14922: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:27 p.m.]
101. Chinese press item from Lanchow states that on January 16 the Kuomintang headquarters (Tangpu) was inaugurated at Tihua, Sinkiang, General Sheng Shih-tsai, chairman of the provincial government, took oath as chairman of the Tangpu and declared his sincerity of purpose in obeying the director of the party (General Chiang Kai-shek2). The Embassy is informed that the Chungking authorities originally sent a party official to Tihua with the idea of appointing him chairman of the Tangpu there; that General Sheng did not approve; and that Sheng’s appointment was compromise solution.
It is generally felt that developments in the Sinkiang situation have not warranted early hopes that the province would be brought within the National Government fold. Government troops have not entered the province and it is reported that Russian troops in limited numbers are still at Hami and other centers in Sinkiang. Otherwise there seems to be little or no evidence of Russian political influence although Russian commercial and economic interests are considerable. However, some progress is being made. From Chungking teachers and experts are being sent into Sinkiang and relations are clearly closer than they were a half year ago. General Sheng is no doubt loath to give up strong bargaining position between Russia and China and may be expected to endeavor while giving lip service to the National Government to keep a foot in both camps until the Chungking authorities are in a position to extend their authority by force.
- President of the Chinese Executive Yuan (Premier).↩