761.93/1724: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 9—10:12 a.m.]
1116. Embassy’s 1087, July 4, 1 p.m.
(1) Following is substance of statements made to member of Embassy staff by a Counselor of Chinese Embassy in Russia recently arrived here via Sinkiang:
Central Government “took over” the five Sinkiang-Soviet border Consulates beginning last November but only personnel transfers involved were Consul at Alma Ata and Zaisan. Beginning last year [Page 277] Soviet has gradually released “several thousand” (exact number could not be obtained by Chinese Embassy in Russia) Chinese who have been interned in Siberia. There are still probably one or two thousand detained. In addition some 20,000 Chinese are living and working in the Soviet Union.
(2) Tihwa reports that information there indicates that Chamuein [change in?] status of Chinese border Consulates was due to initiative of Chinese Foreign Office.
We are asking Tihwa for more comprehensive information.
Repeated to Moscow.