Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-08-03
YakooD Khan, the Trooper.

YakOOb Khan, the Trooper.
a KING WHO COULD NOT READ OR WRITE,
nut RULED WISELY AND WELL.
The reported death of Yakoob Khan,
whom the London Times not inaplly styled
"lhe chief rival of Russia in Central Asia"
opens anew fascinating chapter of Orien-
tai history. Though none OF lhe popular
standard authorities upon biography, APP
pletou, johnson or Vaperean, mention his
name, 1.-THE Trooper King of Turk estan"
played an important pait in recent history.
1t is within the last century that Turk
estan has cast off the Chinese yoke and be-
come once more an independent power
has changed autocrats, 10 speak more pre-
cisely. The last great popular outbreak
occurred in 1864, when Yurkund was be-
sieged, aud the Chinese garrison, finding
resistance hopeless, collected around the
powder magazine Of the fortress and blew
it up. During the anarchic period the then
kahn of Khokand sent Buzrug Khan Hod-
ia, descendant of the ancient Hodja rul-
ers, to Kashgar to give him an opportunity
to restore the dynasty. With him as one
of his lieutenants, was despatched Yakoob
Khan, native of Piskent, near Tashkent,
who in 1858 had taken part in the stubborn
defence of Ak Masjid for 25 days against
the Russians under Perevsky. So bold,
ambitious and clever man as this second
in command, versed in the two great arts
ofOriental diplomacy and war, was not like
ly to remain asubordinate, and after having
used the shadow of Buzurg Khans name
as long as ii served him he asserted him
sell, and, his ability and energy appearing
all the more conspicuous by contrast with
the eXcesses aud imbeciliIy Of his nominal
chief, dethroned him. His next step was
TO overthrow their common sovereign,
Hoobee- Booliah, khan of Khokand; by
successive intrigues or expeditions he ex-
tended his rule and increased his import
ance till in 1878, the adventurer, then be-
come the most powerful OF Asiatic sover-
eigus, was recognized by tbe Sultan Abdul
Aziz ss ameer of Kashgar. The Russians
refused for long time 10 recognize him,
and the diplomatic struggles over this
point form an interesting chapter in Eu-
gene Schuyler's book on "Turkestan."
Yakoo Khan at fiji st closed his country to
Russian trade, but brave and enterpris-
ing trader penetrated 10 Kashgar and the
Khan sent his nephew to conclude a COM
m" cial treaty. This was in 1865. Matters
y r. delayed on both sides ill, in 1871, the
Ru~>ians, fearing that Yokoob Khan would
attempt the conquest OF Kuldja, occupied
that province, and Yakoob Khan, alarmed
thereat and by the movements OF the Chi
nese, fortified Aksu, and sent an embassy
TO Calcutta. The Russians renewed nego-
tiations, but through a KhUkandian, which
induced Yakoob to challenge them 10 send
"a Russian envoy, even If he were only
shepherd, as being some one OF more ac-
count than a merchant" They complied
and took the fist step, sending mission
under Baron Kaulbars, but the badaulepS
pride was not even then satisfied, and 1t
was not until the advance OF Russian troops
had been stopped that he consented TO sign
the treaty of June %, 1872. After this for
NAL recognition he sent an envoy to the
czar, and took his rank as a sovereign. The
Russians, it is needless TO say, distrusted
him, aud accused him of iermenting troub-
les in the khanaIes. especially ailer his en-
tering into quas-inlima ate relations with
England. A policy of assisting the Chi.
nese, as more ameuable neighbors, 10 re-
cover sovereignty was also discussed, but
laid aside, probably, because it was con-
sdered that it would be better TO use force
against Kashgar, when it had to be used,
directly and for the exclusive benefit Of
Russia. During the session of the Con-
stantinople conference Yakoob Khan visit
ed the capital of his suzerain and was feted
by the sultan aud the representative of the
czar, Gen. Ignatietf, who was, however,
unable to induce him TO visit ST. Peters
burg.
A trooper who could neither read nor
write, Yakoob Khan was n born manager
aud ruler of men. He fostered trade so
that it hourshed 20 an incredible extent,
and visited theft and disorder with such Sc
verify that life and property were as safe
in his dominion as they are said TO have
been in the England of Alfred and the Ire
land of Moores ballad. His gallows was
always occupied, and trihing offences we're
punished with death. To be late al or alb
sent from the mosque cost the lax Mahom-
medan a sound logging. On the other
hand besides giving the people a stable
form of government and prosperity be-
yond their dreams-benefts the more high
ly. appreciated after the anarchy which at
tended the downfall of the Chinese sway
he was ruler of not onerOus tastes, and in
such matters as the abolition of temporary
marriages and the promotion of interna-
tional commerce, showed himself social
and economic reformer Of earnestness and
practicabillty.