in that battle. With the fall of
Kashgar the Chinese reconquest of Eastern Turkestan was completed, and
the other cities, Yangy Hissar and Yarkand, speedily shared the same
fate. Khoten and Sirikul also sent in formal promises of subjection. But
the capture of Kashgar virtually closed the campaign. No further
resistance was encountered, and the new rulers had only to begin the
task of reorganization. When Kashgar fell the greater portion of the
army, knowing that they could expect no mercy at the hands of the
Chinese, fled to Russian territory, and then spread reports of fresh
Chinese massacres, which probably only existed in their own imagination.
There can be no doubt that the Chinese triumph has been thorough, and
that it will be many years before the people of Eastern Turkestan will
have again the heart to rebel against their authority. The strength of
China has been thoroughly demonstrated, and the vindication of her
prestige is complete. Whatever danger there may be to the permanence of
China's triumph lies rather from Russia than from the conquered peoples
of Tian Shan Nan Lu; nor is there much danger that the Chinese laurels
will become faded even before an European foe. Tso Tsung Tang and his
lieutenants, Kin Shun, who has since fallen into disgrace,--perhaps he
had excited the envy of his superior--and Chang Yao, accomplished a task
which would reflect credit on any army and any country. They have given
a lustre to the present Chinese administration which must stand it in
good stead, and they have acquired a personal renown that will not
easily depart. The Chinese reconquest of Eastern Turkestan is beyond
doubt the most remarkable event that has occurred in Asia during the
last fifty years, and it is quite the most brilliant achievement of a
Chinese army, led by Chinamen, that has taken place since Keen-Lung
subdued the country more than a century ago. It also proves, in a manner
that is more than unpalatable to us, that the Chinese possess an
adaptive faculty that must be held to be a very important fact in
every-day politics in Central Asia. They conquered Kashgar with European
weapons, and by careful study of Western science and skill. Their
soldiers marched in obedience to instructors trained on the Prussian
principle; and their generals manoeuvred their troops in accordance
with the teachings of Moltke and Manteuffel. Even in such minor matters
as the use of telescopes and field glasses we find this Chinese