893.00/1–1246: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Robertson) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 12—3:40 p.m.]
89. Garbled messages from Ward referred to in Embtel 48, January 8, repeated Moscow as 9, have been serviced. He states that reorganization of Govt covered in agreement provides for appointed Chinese chairman, 2 appointed Turki vice chairmen, 1 ex-rebel and 1 non-rebel; appointed 25 man Provincial Committee with 15 Turki members; 4 bureaus, heads of 2 (Reconstruction and Education) to be Turkis; offices with Chinese chief to have Turki vice chief and vice versa; chuan yuan (heads of districts comprising several hsien) and hsien magistrates to be elected; question of election chairman and Provincial Council to await decision of National Constitutional Convention. Two unsettled points, presumably concerning Chinese troops and police, subject further negotiations.
Ward comments that agreement represents successful negotiated settlement of situation pregnant with gravest threat to peace, and [Page 1203] says that credit for achievement must in first instance be given unreservedly to three men: Liu Tse-jung, Chang Chih-chung, and Soviet Consul General Evseef. Liu had subtlety and sense to comprehend situation; Chang had balance and lucidity to be accessible to the truth and integrity to secure confidence of natives; Evseef worked sincerely and faithfully to discharge his good offices, leaning over backward to help Chinese.
(Sent Dept as 89; repeated Moscow as 11) In telegram dated January 4, Ward remarks further that the Turkis tan [also?] deserve no little credit for their willingness to arrest march which would almost certainly have left them masters of Sinkiang and to accept instead negotiated peace. Developments have also vindicated very small group which held out against anti-Soviet hysteria long enough to keep road open for Chang. Of this group British Consul Turral was stalwart member and his Govt’s willingness to leave him here even though his successor had arrived is thus more than justified.
Ward adds that there remains a note of warning: Chinese appear to have forgotten their extremity in September and strong pressure to whittle away already very slender concessions to Turkis will doubtless begin to make itself felt as soon as Chang reaches Chungking. But this course would invite disaster, Ward believes; for Chinese to fail to live up fully to letter and spirit of their settlement would bring upon them catastrophe which has just been so narrowly averted in Sinkiang.