861.20/7–1644
The Second Secretary of Embassy in China (Stevens) to the Ambassador in China (Gauss)65
Sir: I have the honor to inform the Embassy of the departure from Lanchow by military air transport on July 14 of the last group of 48 Soviet technicians (military and economic specialists), most of whom came to China several years ago at the request of and for the purpose of assisting the Chinese Government.
Chinese sources of information explain this withdrawal by repeating Moscow’s explanation to the effect that the men are needed for technical work in the U. S. S. K. But, judging from statements made in Lanchow by representatives of the Soviet Embassy in Chungking, there were other reasons which would appear to be as much connected with Soviet-Japanese relations and recent Chinese aloofness toward these Russian guests as with purely domestic needs in the Soviet Union.
Respectfully yours,
- Transmitted to the Department by the Ambassador in China without covering despatch; received August 29.↩