893.00/15009: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Vincent) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:13 a. in.]
667. Embassy has learned from reliable sources of existence in Kansu, Kweichow and Ninghsia of unrelated revolts against Central Government authority.
Kansu disturbances are most widespread affecting several hsien south of Lanchow where peasants have turned bandit and have at times cut two main roads south from Lanchow. Revolt arose in protest against conscription and collection of land tax in kind and Ma Pu-fang, Governor of Chinghai, is rumored to have taken opportunity to spread disaffection. Kansu Chairman Ku is said to be particularly unpopular with peasantry while General Chu Shao-liang is reported to have allowed movement to spread in order to embarrass Ku. Central Government has dispatched troops and planes to quell bandits who are reported to number between 20 to 50,000 and whose number has been swelled by disaffection of local Pao An Tui.58
Disturbance in eastern Kweichow is said to have arisen from tax collection by Central Government authorities and to have been inspired by puppet agents. This is recurrence of similar revolt last autumn.
Ninghsia disturbances are reported to have been instigated by Japs using Mongols to arouse people against Central Government authority.
[Page 233]Although these revolts are unrelated, they may be taken as sign of further possible efforts of Japs and puppets to undermine Chungking and also, taken in conjunction with inefficiency and corruption of Central Government officials in Honan famine disaster, point to possibility of increasing lack of confidence in Chungking Government.
- Militia.↩