The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-04
History OF the Campaign.

rialistH.
History Of the Campaign.
The imperialist forces that commenced their
march against Talo0 about eight months since have
succeeded in capturing that place, and it appears,
Eignalized their success by wholesale slaughter
OF the Inhabitants and such portion Of the rebel
army as fell into their hands. Yunnan has long
stood out against the authority OF the Pekn gov
ernment and endeavored to open commercial rela-
lions, through Its neighDor, Burmah, with Great
Britain. 1t is known that many OF the provinces
and dependencies Of China are merely tributary,
and not few 80 independent as to do little more
than acknowledge sovereignty amounting to
mere matter OF form. The Northern provinces
have long been in revolt and Yunnan, which is
largely populated by Mohammedans, entirely re-
nOunced allegiance to the imperial authorities. 1t
has been favorite project with English capitalists
to undertake the survey of the country between
Rangoon, the great commercial depot in Burmah,
and Yunnan, with the view OF constructing rail-
road Trade with Western China has long been de-
sired, but the exclusive policy Of the Empire has
so far proved almost an insuperable obstacle The
country, particularly Yunnan, is rich In gold and
silver mines, and Its manufactures, mentioned fur
Their on, are Of the rarest and most valuable
description. The favorite route to these re-
gions is through Burmah and it will be re-
recently on q visit to England, where he was
received with the highest honors. The Chinese
government, fully alive to the policy Of exclusion,
put forth It's strongest efforts to counterfeit the
designs 1t suspected were entertained and the
barbarous and bloody conduct at TaliiOo may be &C
cepted as an indication OF Its determination to
keep out, II 1t cam European trade with the South
western provinces.
DESCRIPTION OF YUNNAN
Yunnan is bounded on the north by the province
OF Sze-Chuan, on the southeast by Owang-Se, on
the south by Anam and Siam, on the southwest by
Burmah, and on the northwest by Thibet 1t is
thus surrounded on three sides by foreign terri
tories, with no natural lines OF demarcaton sepa-
rating it from them. Yunnan forms plateau ele-
waited on the north and covered with mountains,
several OF which rise above the snow limit, but
nSsons x,n ae south nreat INTO
mon to that part Of Asia. The capital,
populous city. The inhabitants are remark
able for their industry, and excel in the manufac.
Yunnan TO Burmah and the British East Indies, as
remarked above has invested the place with con-
siderable interest The province has an area OF
107, 800 miles; the population is about six millions.
THE RESURRECTION.
The insurrectiOn In the Northern and Western
provinces OF China assumed serious proportions in
1865. The causes that led to 1t are not clearly I'M
derstood, save that disc0ntent with the central
authority at Pekin was general and outspoken.
Many MusSumans have been attracted TO that part
OF the empire, but no good feeling has existed be-
tween them and the natives. 1t would appear,
portion OF the common people to join the revolt,
and obtained many important advantages over the
lmperiast forces. In 1857 the government troops
had to sustain severe struggle against the rebels.
On several occasions they suffered severe defeats,
and even Pekin was threatened. Several other
large cities and the treaty ports, Cheeoo and
Hankow, were in danger OF falling into the hands
OF the rebels, though none were actually captured.
TIE CHIEF OF THE REBELS DECLARED HIMSELF
EMPEROR
He claimed to be one Of the descendants OF the
Hango, who were Mohammedans and gathered
n hq
existing order Of things 1t Is the custom In China
10 despatch viceroys or lieutenants to the
provinces VINO are instructed to collect the
revenue and administer the laws. They are not
usually accompanied with any great military force.
viceroy sent to them. and being powerless to
maintain his authority had to return to Pekin. A
period OF anarchy followed, and the adjoining
provinces being already in revolt, they united in
common cause Of hostility to the government.
The rebels IN 1868 consisted OF three Inherent
factions which had united. The Taipings, from
Ho-nan; the Neun, from shantung. and the
Mohammedans from different other provinces.
They were able to make remarkable Roadway.
The attempts TO suppress the insurrection were
badly planned. and the imperial troops fought with
little or no spirit or courage. In January, 1858,
they were again beaten at Shantung. and in the
month OF May following the rebels captured and
burned several villages near Taku and gained
great victory, capturing 10000 OF the enemy.
TWENTY THOUSAND REBELS PUT TO THE SWORD IN
1869.
In the early part OF 1869 the Northern provinces
were almost entirely under the control oil the
rebels. At one time they were on the march for
the great city OF Ten-tstn memorable for the hor-
ribe massacre OF French and Russian subjects the
year ioowing). after winning many Victories The
Mohammedans formed large part OF the adyanc-
ing army but the Tien-tsin authorities enrolled
the militia and put the ramparts IN q state of de-
fence, and having the aid OF British shlps-of-
war. no attack was made. This assistance was
given to protect British interests. But In June
fortune favored the imperiallst arms. great vie
tory was gained and 20 600 rebels put to the sword
This had o dishear tenlng effect on the nsurrec-
ton, aud In July, $780, the mperiallsts were once
more successful In sanguinary battle. Military
operations were now suspended, but the central
authority was not established in funnan.
THE REBEL ARMY.
The rebel army Is described as being admirably
organized. 1t Is divided into fifty large banners,
each banner numbering fifty men, but under the
command Of each large banner Is fifty small stan
dards with fifty men EACH SO that the whole army
amounts to 100000 men. No information is COM
lnunicated to the common soldiers. They do not
know where they are TO march and where they are
expected TO md the enemy. Each soldier has to
look TO Ills banner; when that Is put down he has
10 stop; when IL Is lowered he has to retire, and
when lifted up advance. The rebels are well armed
and supplied with provisions, which are supplied
20 prisoners In the same quantities as they receive
themselves. Differing totally from their imperial
ast Toes they treat their captlves with humanity,
ana 90 net compel them to forced labor or subject
lhem 10 any indiPnty There are considerable
NUMBER OF European officers In the rebel forces,
VINO act chiefly as officers OF artillery.
- TIE ADVANCE ON TALFoO.
me maj effort OF the Chinese government to
suppress the Mohammedan insurrection was SET on
loot aO0ub one year ago. A large army was organ
izeu ana marched for Talifoo. The Maoutze hay-
my peen utterly discounted the General CHUNG
kh-ian, III command OF SIX battalions, was or
dered 10 go and assist In the siege OF the district
city OF Sin-chen, occupied by the rebel Mahommed-
ans Tue march, which lasted ten days was
through beautifully varied, but desoate and de-
yastatcd country. General Hoo, with the entire
right wing OF the army, was engaged IN besieuing
the place. but his troops had suffered very much