893.00/8–1644: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 176:14 p.m.]
1419. 1. Following is summary recent Sinkiang developments based upon recent despatches and telegrams up to August 13:
- (a)
- Following mass arrests by Sinkiang Chairman Sheng June 26 (Tihwa’s despatch 7, June 2768), latter sent Foreign Affairs Delegate Wu to Chungking to explain developments to Generalissimo and obtain latter’s instructions and assurances of increased military support. Previously Kazak raiding parties had attacked military and other convoys between Ansi and Hami and early in July Kazaks in Altai region were reinforced by 1,000 Mongolian regulars.
- (b)
- About July 3 uprising by Kazaks said supplied with Soviet arms started West Altai area near Soviet border and heavy fighting ensued with Chimunai attacked from July 9 and Tacheng and Chenghwa threatened. Disturbance said spreading late in July among 300,000 Kazaks north of Tienshan in Sinkiang reportedly supplied with rifles, ammunition and cloth across Soviet border in exchange, for stolen cattle and sheep. Soviet military advisors reported with raiding Kazaks and three Soviet soldiers said killed in attack on Chimunai. Chinese officials at Tihwa believed Kazak raiders under Soviet supported leader Osman were being encouraged by Soviet advisors to proclaim autonomous state. On July 27, 1,000 Mongols and 2,000 Kazaks reported moving toward Chenghwasze which believed first major objective Kazak raiders.
- (c)
- On August 12 Sheng arrested 10 leading Chungking appointees at Tihwa including Provincial, Kuomintang and Commissioners of Education and Keconstruction. Lo Chia-lun, Control Yuan Commissioner at Tihwa, expressed hope arrests made on suspicions of involvement Communist plot against Sheng, but feared they indicated Sheng negotiating resumption Soviet collaboration in order maintain his position Sinkiang.
2. In despatch 11, July 19,69 Consul Tihwa expressed following views: [Page 806]
- (a)
- Communist plot overthrow Sheng in April actually existed.
- (b)
- Kazak uprising has spread to West Altai area along Soviet border with Soviet and Mongol support.
- (c)
- Soviet designs in Sinkiang aiming at control of province for mineral and other resources and as corridor to Chinese Communists have not changed. Consul states he has seen 1940 Soviet maps showing Sinkiang–Mongolian border considerably west of that of older maps and incorporating about 83,000 square miles of Sinkiang territory. He regards it unlikely Chinese Government able now send sufficient troops to Sinkiang to overcome Kazaks with result that Chinese may lose control Sinkiang and suggests that “strenuous action” is called for [if] Sinkiang is not to be dismembered in next few months.
3. Embassy is informed that Generalissimo sent General Chu Shao-liang accompanied by Foreign Office Delegate Wu by plane to Tihwa August 14 presumably to induce Sheng to relinquish Sinkiang posts and thereby improve Sino-Soviet relations.
4. As indicated in previous Embassy reports, retention of Sheng in Sinkiang constitutes important obstacle to improvement Sino-Soviet relations and we strongly question any possibility of rapprochement between Sheng and Soviets. We also doubt whether Soviet Union would at this time embark on program for restoration active Soviet control of Sinkiang.