893.00/10–344: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 4—1:21 p.m.]
1641. Wu Chung-hsin, accompanied by 22 persons including commissioners and other new members of Provincial Government, left Chungking [on] 1st to take up new appointment as Chairman, Sinkiang Provincial Government.
We are reliably informed Soviet Chargé, Chungking, voiced some disappointment to high Chinese officials at appointment of Wu and certain of his commissioners but lodged no formal objections.
We are also informed that Communications Vice Minister Hsu, who was sent to Sinkiang to investigate arrest by Sheng Shih-tsai of certain Chungking-appointed officials (Retel 1584, September 20, 10 a.m.), ascertained signed confessions of participation in Communist plot to set up Soviet republic were obtained from latter by torture and that although innocent these officials are still being detained in order to save Sheng’s “face”.