893.00/11–1847: Telegram
The Consul at Tihwa (Paxton) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 19—10:05 p.m.]
72. Halibek, leader of 20,000 Kazaks in the Wusu and Chingho vicinity, appointed by Ili group as magistrate of Shawan (all towns in Tahcheng or Ili zones) is said by Garrison Commander Sung to have secretly become pro-Chinese early this year, resenting Soviet domination of the three separatist zones and to be supplying info as to Ili activities and plans. Despatch quoting details given by Sung follows as soon as courier service is resumed. (Refer mytel to Nanking 403, repeated Washington as 63, October 26.52)
General Sung has reports that Halibek’s forces, against Chinese advice, are now attacking Ili troops near Wusu which might result in a debacle similar to that at Chenghua (see Tihwa telegram to Embassy [Page 581] 431, repeated Dept as 69, November 13) with further possibility that Kazaks fleeing across Man ass River might draw their pursuers beyond the former “truce line” and greatly complicate the already tense situation along this clear cut boundary.
- Not printed.↩