893.00/15074
The Chargé in China (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 24.]
Sir: There is enclosed a copy of despatch No. 3 of June 4, 1943, from the Second Secretary at Sian93 on the subject of conditions in Kansu.
According to the despatch, American missionaries have reported that when they left there in May conditions in Kansu remained upset with the highway from Lanchow to Minhsien closed to traffic. The latter town was reported to be the center of disturbances, led by one Ma Tien-hsuan, directed against Ku Cheng-lun, Chairman of the Kansu Provincial Government. It is stated in the despatch that in all probability the people in Kansu are restive over conscription practices, taxes and the rising cost of living as well as increasing National Government control of the province. According to a Chinese source, six divisions of Chinese troops were being sent into Kansu to quell the disturbances.
[Page 270]Troops seen on the road from Sian to Lanchow by American observers were understood by those observers to be en route to Sinkiang. While well-equipped with rifles and machine-guns, their morale and physical condition appeared to be poor.
Respectfully yours,
- Not printed.↩