761.93/1738
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 28.]
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a copy of despatch no. 33 of September 3, 1943 from the Consul at Tihwa,55 in regard to the treatment and citizenship status of émigré Russians in Sinkiang Province.
Summary: The citizenship status of émigré Russians in Sinkiang is one of the outstanding problems between the Russian and Sinkiang authorities. Most of the 14,000 Russian émigrés now residing in Sinkiang went there in 1919 and 1920 as part of or accompanying the so-called “White Guard” military forces of Aninkov, Dutov, and one other Russian general. During 1941 a large number were reported to have returned to Russia, perhaps as a result of ill-treatment by the Sinkiang authorities who, since 1930, have inducted some into military service, imprisoned others, and imposed harsh police measures on all.
The Chinese authorities refer to the Russian émigrés as “naturalized persons” and otherwise treat them as if they had no Russian nationality. This circumstance appears to have troubled Soviet consular representatives in Sinkiang who, reflecting the attitude of the Soviet Government in respect to the repatriation of desirable émigrés, appear either to have facilitated or not to have opposed the escape of some from Chinese jurisdiction.
Respectfully yours,
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