893.00/1–846: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Robertson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:47 p.m.]
48. By series of six telegrams dated January 3 (two badly garbled and being serviced) Ward reported that General Chang Chih-chung6 left Tihwa January 3 after signing on evening of January 2 an 11-point agreement with Ining rebels. (Embassy’s 2232, December 28,4 repeated Moscow.) Points covered in agreement include freedom [Page 1202] of religion, speech and publication; reorganization of rebel troops as Peace Preservation Corps; use of Turki language as well as Chinese in Govt documents, etc.; release of political prisoners; reorganization of schools with lower and middle schools [apparent omission]; assurance of cultural protection; tax relief; freedom of trade; exchange of prisoners taken in course of current hostilities; and reorganization of Govt. (Here follow garbled messages which will be reported when serviced.)
Ward states that, to give effect to agreement, Central Govt will accept resignation of Chairman and members of present Govt, after which Chang will concurrently be made Chairman and Chief of Northwest Defense Headquarters.
(Sent to Dept as 48, repeated Moscow as 9) Ward comments that, while agreement falls far short of meeting aspirations of Turki, and will almost certainly be opposed by Chinese as conceding too much, it affords China an opportunity to make a fresh start in Sinkiang and if energetically and steadfastly implemented, would ensure a continuance of Chinese sovereignty in the province.8
Chungking press reports Gen Chang has returned to this city.
- Personal representative of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek in Sinkiang since September 1945; Chinese Minister of Political Training.↩
- Foreign Relations, 1945, vol. vii, p. 1024.↩
- Marginal notation by the Assistant Chief of the Division of Chinese Affairs (Rice): “Chinese News Service Jan. 8 says 13 articles and Annex I (of three supplementary articles) agreed to but Annex II (of five articles) not agreed to.”↩