become more outspoken; and as mentioned before, the Chinese lost no time in trying to exploit the anti-Russian angles of the present incident. Crediting theChinese with at least a lack of concern over complicating their own and their allies relations with Russia may also be objected to on the ground that China is anxious to have Russia enter the war against Japan. I do not believe that such is actually the case. General Chinese public opinion may desire to have Russia enter the war at an early date in the hope that this will ensure the speedy defeat of Japan. But the Kuomintang's leaders, I suggest, give only lip service to this idea. On the contrary, if they are as calculating as we must assume they are, they will very much pre‚er to have Japan defeated by the United States, which they hope will continue to be friendly to the Kuoraintang and opposed to the spread of Communist influence in China. By the same reasoning, the Kuomintang dreads the active participation by Russia in the defeat of Japan because this will give Russia art undeniable voice in Far Eastern affairs and will greatly increase her prestige and the influence of Communism with the people of China. We can expect, therefore, that as American strength in the Paci‚ic increases and our war against Japan progresses favorably- as it is doing at present - the Chinese government will become more and more anti-Russian. These may have been the Chinese motives in Sinkiang. What has been the Chinese success? The pretext has been provided for sending large Central Government military forces into Sinkiang. These may by force, overcome any unorganized local resistance and break up minority groups such as the Kazaks inside of Sinking They should also ensure - perhaps after a period of maneouver and face saving - the eventual removal of Sheng Shih-tsai and his replacement by a nominee of the Central Government. They probably will not, however be able to establish the disputed boundary claimed by China, because the ,Outer Mongols, even without direct Soviet participation, appear to have an efficient and well equipped military force. There is also the danger that Central Governmentmilitary control may prove a boomerang by provoking rebellion in Sinkiang, either spontaneously from the resentment of the largely Mohammedon population, or through Russian connivance and support of such -7- |