761.93/9–2245: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Robertson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:20 p.m.]
1645. Under date September 20 Ward reports in substance as follows: (Embassy’s 1619, September 19. Repeated Moscow)
Subsequent to Chinese request for Soviet good offices made September 14 at Tihwa and Moscow, Soviet Ambassador informed Foreign Office September 17 that a request for Soviet good offices had also been made by Ining regime through Soviet Consul; that Moscow had agreed and Ining representatives were to be sent to Tihwa. Ining [Page 1014] regime now reported to be seeking autonomy within regions under its control rather than separation from China or expulsion of Chinese sovereignty.
Sent Dept. Repeated to Moscow.
Ward expresses opinion Chinese seem ready to grant considerable degree of autonomy and admit frankly serious abuses and weaknesses of present Chinese administration; prospects for settlement are therefore good and it is probable present crisis may be safely over, although new crisis would probably follow any serious hitch in negotiations. Ward believes Central Government apparently contemplates dividing Sinkiang into two provinces, north and south of Tienshan, with special status for autonomous regions in western part [of] northern portions of northern province and new provincial regimes for capitals at Kashgar and Tihwa.