761.93/9–745: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Hurley) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 7—3 p.m.]
1540. Given below is summary of several telegrams dated September 6, some garbled and others not too clear, received today from Consul Ward, Tihwa:
Commissioner Customs reports his staff at Irkistan, Chinese border town controlling road from Kashgar to Russia, withdrawn, and that Puli taken August 22 by Kirghiz rebels. Several hundred Chinese retreating from Puli reached Misgar, on Indian border, where they telegraphed Chinese Consul General that Otru had been attacked by about 1200 Soviet troops. Message from British Consul General (presumably Kashgar) to British Consul [at] Tihwa confirms that rebels were well armed and that some members of force probably came from across Russian border, but does not suggest that Puli was actually taken by Soviet forces. (Sent Department, repeated to Moscow.)
General Chu Shao-liang who is still ill asserts Chenghwa is loosely surrounded by Kazaks and is being supplied by planes; its fall imminent. Troops General Chu identifies as Outer Mongolian have been withdrawn from Altai region, but he does not know how far.
Rebels are attacking Wusu with increasing force and intensity. Customs Commissioner reports that on September 5 two planes, stated to be Soviet, flew over Wusu and dropped eight bombs. Ward remarks that since V–J Day Chinese have been using planes for strafing and possibly bombing against insurgents, and that it is possible attack on Wusu was insurgent answer, using captured planes. Ward considers it remotely possible, however, that adjacent autonomous [area with?] same race and language as insurgents, anxious to assure that latter should not be overcome simply by overwhelming superiority of arms, is supplying rebels with arms equivalent to those used against them. Ward believes it possible Wusu plane report is sheer fabrication, but he comments these reports reflect renewed near-panic of Chinese, who will be disgraced if Sinkiang is lost unless Russia can be blamed.
Ward concludes by saying that, making all possible allowances for exaggeration, situation in Sinkiang is unquestionably one of great and increasing gravity (End Summary).
We had already received information concerning matter this morning from Generalissimo who considered situation serious. We advised [Page 1009] Generalissimo to take up matter through diplomatic channels with Moscow before taking other action. He agreed to do so.
We are telegraphing Ward requesting further information.