Across the central Asiatic wastes in China’s far Northwest hinterland isfabulous, remote Sinkiang province (Chinese Turkestan), once a wild andbloody tribal battleground, now a virtual Russian buffer state. ToChiang Kai-shek this had long been an undeveloped treasure house, apossible last refuge for Free China; to Russia it was a cushion againstJapanese-infiltrated Mongolia, against British influence from India.Last week the U.S. planned a consulate there—deeper inside Asia andAsiatic politics than this Government had ever penetrated before.