The New York herald., 1875-10-19
The Russian Preparations for tha
Expedition to Kashgar'
GENERAL KAUFMANN'S RETURN
HOW Russian Officials Collecr
Taxes in Tashkent.
THE EXPECTED CoNFLICTy

were some disturbances in Khokand last summer aud
We all hoped that might have chance OF anothes
expedition, but General Kopakofsky dared UNDER
take anything In General Kaunann's absence, being
bound hand and foot by his Instructions and knowing,
at the time that anything which he did would bs
turned against him by Kaufmann's friends, who wish
him no good On the arrival of General Kauimann,
alter his eighteen months absence everything
changed So mafy officers back that the towI
seemed positively livcly there appeared to be
general feeling not only that something ought 10 be-
DONE but also that something would be dono General
Kaufmann had become down in the mouth BY the at
tacks him at St Petersburg and was desiroas of
showing his vgor OF proving the purity OF his admnis7
raton and in general Of making great coup that
would entirely rehabtate him.
THE EXPECTED EVENT.
What this was 10 be nobody seemed 10 know but
everybody whispered Khohand, though OF the
better informed hinted that not all tight
in Kashgar First Of all, however, were to have
a publication of the domestic administration and we
given to understand that during the Generals abb
senco, and under the direction Of Kopakofsky every
thing had been going to the bad and that while there
might be- perhaps, certain grain Of truth in the sric-
lures on the administration which had been published
in St Petersburg and abroad yet that this all SUBJ
sequent to General Kaufmanns departure for Khiva,
and was, therefore, his fault so investigating
committees set to work-we call them hero
repisions The district Of Kurama revised,
the town administration of Tashkent
vised, and in fact everything was revised
that would bear revision without showing too bad a
result Most of these investigating committees arc
still hard at work with their facts and figures trying
to show that ''although there may have boen a few
administrative Irregularities during the past few
years yet''-yo you know the rest and how easy tits
cover up wrongdong in remote province like
this
ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS.
The only report that has yet been made Is In regard
10 the town government of Tashkent, where the in-
habitants, for long time past have been complaining
OF the high taxes 1t hns been found that during the
time OF General Kaufmanns administration that iH,
since 1865 the taxes have increased from 60 900 to-
128 600 rubes, 80 that they amount to than
three rubles q head the officially taxed population
During this time the general tax for the ex-
penses Of the city government tho amount or
which and the manner in which it Is spent, being en-
tirey at the discretion OF the commandan OF the town,
have Increased from 16 900 to 600 Although there
has been effort this report to point out abuses
yet two three things have come to light which show
that our officials here not negectng to study tho
most modern methods of treating the governmental
funds The official estimate of the population Of Tash4
kent for tax collecting purposes s about a. 000 men,
women and children included; for some other
purposes it is estimated above 10000, and is
: known to bo much 1t is therefore plainly
possible for an OF taxes nearly equal to tho
official bo collected and put into the pockets
OF tho officials without anybody being ths wiser; and
as receipts given the natives for taxes.
they may be collected two or thrce times, and con-
plant is very difficult
now THE TAXES ARE LEVIED.
We Hnd too, that our system Of appropriation is O
very simple There is sort OF governing council,
~ tn ha h,r
the town district, although, OF course chosen aci
cordng to tho orders of the commandant This council
has right or voting whatever money necessary foR
the administration and OF collecting It from tho inhab
tants. The commandant then, merely says, ~ need
much money for the ensuing year." and the amount
is once; should therO be any objection he
replies "such are my orders from tho
Governor and the matter is at an end
Sometimes for building now house or foE
laying out q garden for extraordinary
expense more money is necessary. In such
resolution that effect is written out in Russian in tho
book OF records and the members of the council one
aer another ordered to put their seals to H. With
out in tho least knowing what paper they signing
Afterward to avoid all possible questions, Of the
interpreters, when he has time, writes translation IN
the native tongue the opposite page that II an
investigating committee should come everything would
be In order
July IL
Those who predicted expedition to Kashgar socns
to have been right after all When General Kaufnanr
returned he agreed to the appointment of Colone
Reintha the commercial agent or consP
in Kashgar but thought 1t best before allow
ing him to occupy the post to send him there nomnay
to take presents to Yakub Khan, although really
to find out how the land lay. Rentha very badly
received and in spite OF the treaty much obectoy
adn N tho ontp nf hat ha
not speak Of his appointment, although tha
Kashgarians seemed perfectly well OF It, for K
presume they have plenty Of spies here and he there
fore remained only three days in Kashgar On his
turn he reported to the Governor General that Yakuh
Khan had the most hostile disposition towaH
Russia, and only waiting to mprow
his troops before he mado an attack upon
He has received several instaments Of
English riies and has large number Of military in
structors from India and Turkey that his army is
really becoming formidable Beside this, he has +
large number Of good cannon and is rapidly making
others General Kaufman, in forwarding this report
to ST. Petersburg said that he saw way Of settling
tho difficulty except by II is necessary, hows
ever obtain further information before an ex-
pedton sent and there seems TO be an idea that We
may perhaps do better II invade the country from
tho sdo of Khokand rather than from the Nary1s
where the Kashgarans havo put up good fertilization
to command tho passes.
EXAMINING PASSES.
Colonel Scobolen, who so distinguished himself In the
attack on Khlva has therefore been sent BY Genera
Kaufman through Khokand TO examine the passes
leading into Kashgar He takes escort Of Cossacka
and | and ordered to accompany them. 1t B tremenl
dous piece good luck for me, for was not allowed ta
10 with the Khivan expedition. At the time Mra
Weinberg tho agent Of the Foreign once, goes ia
Khokand with TO ask permission Of the Khan ta
allow Russian troops 10 pass through his dominionss
scoboien ever since tho Khivan expedition has BEEN
on very bad terms with Kaufman, but was
reconclled to him, they say, by an onen
to lei him have command OF expeditions
How that may bc do not know, but scObOIcfI is a