Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1878-06-27
lAYa gJnaVlQnowss War.

1t is probably news to most of our read.
ers that, while Russia has been engaged in
the overthrow of Turkey, and the rest Of
the world, has been absorbed in watching
the performance and its side shows, viso-
rous and remarkable campaign has taken
place in Eastern Turkestan, threatening tho
Russian dependencies in that quarter of the
world: and resulting in tho rcsubjugation by
the Chinesss of tho rebclious provinces Of
Western Kansuh and Eastern Turkestap,
ending with the capture of Kashgar, tho
capital of the lutter. OF these operations,
covering, as a glance at the map will
show, enormous distances (I<ashgar is
over 1000 miles from Pckcn, as the crow
fles), the civilized world has remained in
almost absolute ignorance. 1t was known
in lS75-7G that tho Chinese Government
was about to attempt a chastiscmcnt Of the
northwestern rebels. including Yacoob
Beg, the A,uccr Of Kashgar, who is perhaps
more familiar to Western nations thun any
of the other leaders. BY the close of 1876
all the country North of the Tan Shan
mountains WAS reduced, and it remained to
proceed against Kashgar, some 900 miles
distant, South OF the range This was
far moro Formidable undertaking as tho
strength Of Kashgar wus supposed to be
considerable. The invaders wcro met at
tho frontier by force which they over
threw, and pushed rapidly forward, march
ing 400 miles 10 twenty ono Days, in that
time capturing three cities and winning ono
pitched battle.
Tho fact that the day following this
battle the Chinese wcro able to continue
their advance as an organized body is
abundant evidence that their discipline is
something moro than that of barbaric
horde. The campaign was encrgcticaly
pushed after this, the invaders being fav
orcd by tho confusion into which Kashgaria
was thrown by the report of these unlocked
for rcvcrscs. The principal cities fell,
Offering more or less resistance, and in De-
ccmbcr, 1877, battle was fought and won
before Kashgar ITSELF which at once sur
rendered. The commanding officer of tho
Chinese movement is Liu Kin Tang, and
we commend at least a superficial study Of
his campaign. Conducted as it was with
at lcasL an approach to Western modes OF
warfare, with general staff aud commisi-
arats Which must hayo boon admirable, and
q sufficient artillery traiu, it should be taken
as warning. Europe and America may
yet learn that tho modern brccoh loader is
an efficient weapon in the hands of the
dcspised MonsoliuD. An ordinary atlas
will show the main outlines Of this remark
able military achievement. The advance
had of course 20 be conducted across deserts
and mountain without any Of tho modern
means Of transportation, and it is very cvi-
dent from tho distances marched and the
time occupied in doing it thot tho Chinese
soldier is not tho contomptiblc person of
whom we have been accustomed to think
Kashgar ia not far from half way between
Pekin and St. Petersburg, and already
there arc prophets who anticipate moro dan.
ger to Europe from tho Mongolian than
from tho Muscoyiic.
AS it is your duty and interest woll to
support your minister, so it concerns you to
pray earnestly for him, and each one to do
what in him lies in all respects to encourage
and help him; if this we're dono by all
of the church, feel persuaded
tho ministry would roviyo in freshness,
anxious inquirers woald bo more numerous,
and tho pooplc Of God moro rejoicing.