893.00 Sinkiang/8–3149: Telegram
The Vice Consul at Tihwa (Mackiernan) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 1—12:28 p. m.]
242. Political summary August 13 to 30. Sinkiang. American Consulate Tihwa closed to public August 16. British Consul General says some provisional [Provincial?] government officials passing rumor that closure was at request Soviet authorities. Paxton says same story circulating Kashgar.
Route to India via Gilgit and to Afghanistan via Wakhan [Wacha?] closed about August 24 due banditry vicinity. Tash Qurgan and Leh route still open.
Most White Russians and many Chinese officials Tihwa trying leave Sinkiang either via Kashgar or Kansu, otherwise events latter province causing little stir here. Prices remain stable.
Chinese Air Force reducing staff here, first group left August 28. No other significant military activity.
Ex-Secretary General Aisabek now Hami en route Tihwa.
Kansu. Provisional [Provincial?] government established at Chang-yeh. Kansu corridor cities crowded with refugees, food scarce. On August 26 Lanchow fell to Chinese Communists’ troops; latter reported at Yungteng August 29.
Ma Pu-fang and family reported going Taipei.
Sent Department 242, repeated OffEmb Canton 109, Nanking 128.