893.00/15173: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State 90
[Received 11:57 a.m.]
2132. 1. Rice at Lanchow in despatch October 30 after return from Ninghsia reports as follows:
Ninghsia chairman states clash between Ninghsia and Communist forces occurred October 12 and expresses opinion Kmt-Communist differences cannot be settled by negotiation. Provincial officials fear Communist occupation parts Ninghsia and Kansu, state Ninghsia Mongols see Soviet planes flying to and from Yenan and express strong suspicion of Soviet Russia. Since conference military leaders at Chungking during the session in September, chairman has been busy with defense preparations and large garrisons are stationed in Ninghsia and Kansu to prevent extension Communist area. Exactions these troops burden local people and cause unrest favorable to extension Communist influence.
2. Increase Chungking troops in northwest apparently reflects suspicion Soviets and at present appears intended to prevent extension Communist area as well as possible land communication between Chinese Communist[s] and Soviets rather than for attack on Communists.
- The Department transmitted a paraphrase of this telegram to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) in airgram No. A–32, November 13, 6 p.m., with the added comment that “several reports received during recent months and statements made by some high Chinese officials have suggested that there is not likely to occur in the near future an authorized armed conflict between government armed forces and the Communists.”↩