761.93/6–1147: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 11—2:22 a.m.]
1256. Following is Tihwa’s 257, June 8, 5 p.m. to Embassy:
“Yesterday General Sung told me he had just received delayed telegram reporting that June 5, 4 marked Soviet planes bombed Peitashan near Ashan and Tihwa zone border. Bombing occurred on expiration of 48-hour ultimatum demanding return of 8 Outer-Mongolian soldiers captured by Chinese. These were taken when a combat battalion of Outer-Mongolian troops supported by Soviet battalion and 4 trucks attacked Chinese forces at point well within Sinkiang. Sung’s order authorizing release of prisoners had not reached Peitashan commander before bombing occurred. Two Chinese soldiers killed and 30 horses destroyed.
Sung ascribes both Outer-Mongolian offensive and Soviet air attack to presence of Osman and their desire to break his hold on Kazaks in Ashan zone which he has strengthened by his long struggle. Sung still questions wisdom of Chang’s appeasement policy as he feels it [Page 558] merely encourages further Soviet sponsored advances. He says Foreign Office delegate Liu has reported attacks to Nanking for protest through Chinese Embassy to Outer-Mongolian Legations, Moscow planes also having come from East. Paxton.”