893.00 Sinkiang/11–1647: Telegram
The Consul at Tihwa (Paxton) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 17—4:02 p.m.]
70. Garrison Commander Sung has loaned me Chinese translation of Ili reply dated October 16 to General Chang’s letter, see Tihwa despatch 35, September 19.50 Ili note was transmitted to local foreign affairs commander [commissioner?] by Soviet CG October 22. [Page 580] Achmad-Jan was summoned to Nanking but before going will probably await Chinese reply to Ili terms for reopening negotiations which are:
- (1)
- Cessation of Chinese oppression of progressive elements in province.
- (2)
- Release of all Muslim prisoners (taken in recent incidents at Kashgar, Turf an, Tokosun and Shanshan) and punishment of those responsible for their arrest.
- (3)
- Recall of Masud as province chairman and
- (4)
- Complete fulfillment by Chinese of terms of peace agreement. Chinese authorities may be expected to deny oppression; consent to release of some prisoners refusing punishments demanded; possibly change the chairman; but maintain stoutly that implementation of peace terms has been their unchangable objective which is blocked wholly by Ili procrastination.
No real change in the situation is likely to result from these discussions alone since, as reported in mytel to Embassy 43, February 15, the outcome for this area seems to depend less on plans or arrangements in China than on Moscow’s world attitude. Furthermore it is believed that continued confusion in Sinkiang suits Soviet purposes. (See mytel to Embassy 223, May 2551) better than any clear settlement.
Sent Embassy as 439, repeated Dept. as 70, November 16, reference mytel to Nanking 422, repeated Washington as 66, November 10.52