Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, The Far East, China, Volume VII

761.93/9–1745: Telegram

The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Kennan) to the Secretary of State

Moscow, September 17, 1945—noon.
[Received September 17—8 a.m.]

3290. In connection with current situation in Sinkiang as reported in Chungking’s 1574, Sept. 13, I can only invite attention again to considerations set forth in our 690, March 9 (sent Dept 3290, rptd Chungking 161).

Given conditions existing in Sinkiang—long-standing misrule by Chinese minority and insurgency among central Asian majority—USSR need not resort to rough-shod intervention along Polish and Balkan pattern to attain hegemony over Sinkiang. To achieve and maintain predominant influence in Sinkiang, Moscow needs do little more than guide discreetly the activities of central Asian political and military elements in Soviet and Mongolian regions adjacent to Sinkiang frontiers. Such activities will doubtless continue to be expertly blended into the tribal affinities overriding the vague borders of Nomadic Central Asia and are not likely to be readily identifiable as Moscow directed.

Kennan