The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-03-26
THE RA4s OF SouLAGINrwE1n

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The votaros Of science, and especially Of geographical
science, are deeply interested ia the question presented in
the following abstract of a report OF proceedings of the
Royal Geographical Society We quote from the Lon
don Star the proceedings Of a meeting held ON the 2sth
February
The papers read were
/. Journey through the highest passes ia tho Aa,td
and Ac-th mountains in Chinese Taltary by I. w, At
kinson, esq, +. r.. as.
2 Despatch from Captain Henry strachey, Gold Ne
dalliSt X q. s., respecting the measures taken by the In
dian government 10 ascertain the fate of M. Adolphe
Sehlagiutweit communicated by Lord Stanley, NJ r.,
Il. II. g.. s.. 1fW E
Adolphe SchlagintweIt crossed the Para I1ussa pass from
India 10 Thibet ON the 3lst May, 1857. The last docu-
mentary evidence consists Of his letter to Harkishu from
Chang-Chenmo of Ladak, dated the l4th June, with a
postscript stating that Ii was not sent till the Gath, and
one or two notes for sundry payments of the latter date.
These documents We're brought from Ladak by the Chu-
prasses, who joined Harkishu ut Khardong of Garzha on
the goth of July, from whose statements it appears that,
before they left the Moonshee, Mohamed Hasan had de-
serted, taking the ponies, some money, and other articles
belonging TO NJ. Schlagintweit, but was overtaken, and
the property recovered. M
Harkishu gathered from Captain M~ontgomerie, +
g.. s., Of the frigonometrical Survey, and his native doe
tor, that they were in LAdnk during the summer when
he had left. From the locality OF his last despatch,
Chang Chenmo, it il inferred that he crossed the Turkish
water parting to the east of the Kaia korum pass, perhaps
to Sugat on the head Of the Kaah Kash. and thence fol-
lowed the route taken by his brothers the previous year
towards Kiliam AMI Khoten. IL seems that he had laid
in a stock of merchandise {, facilitate his journey by ira.
ding. From another source, the Bholiyas of Jwar, the
information serves to show that he had reached the mar
gin OF an inhabited country at the foot of the mountains;
left his camp to reconnoitre, and, in his absence, the
guide absconded with most Of the baggage and capital to-
wards Yarkend. Being thus left helpless. NJ. ~Schlagint-
welt sent to the YanWlar Of LIE for assistance in men, cat
tie, provisions, &c, whether for the purpose of penetra-
ting into Turkistan or returning to Ladak remains unde-
termined. The next accounts are derived from merchant
frau.ltara from IaiaL FRAN ,yhpun IL uppanrz that ha had
passed the winter of I857-5S ON the border of Kho-
ten, and that on his arrival the provinces of Kuskghar
and Yarkend were in a disturbed state from one OF the
periodical inyasions OF the Turks
1t is unlikely that he would remain more than one
winter here, or that ii still 10 the locality he would not
have opened communication with Ladak and India
probably, therefore, he took tho opportunity Of the tenn
porary subversion of Chinese authority to enter Khoten
or Yaekend. To go far or remain there he could hard
ly avoid the notice OF the insurgent Turks, who, though
contrary to their natural impulse, might, in the actual
conjuncture, welcome him as an enemy to the Chinese,
and the love of travel and enterprise might prompt NJ.
Schlagintweit to offer himself in that capacity. In either
case, when the Chinese got the upper hand, they would
first regain possession OF their southern frontier towards
Ladak, and he would probably retire with the invading
Turks through kashghur into khokand, with which our
relations have been very slight, although wholly AMIGA
BILE, and on the strength Of them he might meet a friend
ly reception there on the other hand, the Khokandis
are on bad terms with all their ~neighbors, including the
Russians, who are steadily encroaching on their north
west frontier, and this would add to his difficulties in
leaving their country again.
The ways out of Khokand are east to Ali, and south
east to Kaslighar, both completely stopped by the
Chinese south to Badaksham and Cabul, but physically
and politically most difficult; southwest to Samarcand
and Bolthara, and west to Khiva, both probably hostile
to Khokand, and certainly to the British. A European,
and especially an English traveller, would find safety
there only from Russian protection. LASTLY, to the Rus
sian outposts on the northwest, and North Fort Aralsk,
near the Araland Ak-majed on the Sir, Jaxantes,)
where most probably he has proceeded, as he would then
be Ia the civilized world again. 1t would be futile to
discuss the chances of his ultimate escape, hanging as
they do on the caprices of the vilest barbarians of CEN
trail Asia.
A discussion having ensued, the meeting was adjourn
cd to the l4th inst. a