893.00/15151: Telegram
The Ambassador in China ( Gauss ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:48 p.m.]
1993. Consul [at] Kunming9 reports that American military convoy proceeding from Kunming to Wenshan on morning October 16 attacked by 15 to 20 Chinese bandits; some wearing uniform of local militia, at point some 15 kilometers southeast of Iliang. Bandits were engaged in looting several Chinese civilian trucks and blocked road caused American convoy to halt. Bandits demanded surrender of American arms and opened fire inflicting casualties. Fire was returned and in ensuing exchange five American officers seriously wounded, two bandits known killed and three wounded. Area in which attack occurred is under Provincial Government control. Ludden says banditry on border of Ilianghsien and Lunanhsien has been rife for some time and no effective action has been taken by local magistrates to halt it. He states present incident is one of several all less serious which have occurred during past few months in areas under Provincial Government control southeast of Kunming.
Ludden has made representations to Provincial Government through special delegate [of] Foreign Affairs. He states that he is “demanding” that incident be reported personally to Governor with a “demand” for immediate investigation and report, apprehension of culprits, establishment of responsibility of local officials, adequate punishments, apologies from responsible officials, adequate assurances against such occurrences in the future and that he is reserving right to make further “demands” if deemed necessary by higher American authorities. Ludden’s communication was supported by written protest of Chief of Staff, American Forces, Kunming.
Embassy is telegraphing Ludden that he should keep Embassy fully and promptly informed, that his action in bringing incident promptly to attention of Provincial Government for full investigation and effective measures for apprehension of bandits is approved, but that he should make no “demands” unless and until so instructed and that there should be no publicity.
I am bringing matter orally to serious attention of Foreign Minister. There has been no publicity here.
- Raymond P. Ludden.↩