Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-24
The Rising In Asia,
(St. Petersburg L.etter.)

NJ. Boris Tagleff. the ex-chlef Of the Ir.
rigation Works Department in Ferghana,
VINO has lived in Turkestan for a long
time. and Is well acquainted with the
affairs OF the country, gives an account
OF the late revolt OF the Mohammedans
at Andijan, which is hardly OF fatter.
Ing character as regards Russia, and
differs from the official communications
received on the subject. In the first place,
M. Tagleff accuses England Of attempt
Ing 10 stir up a Mohammedan revolt In
Asia against Russia. For this purpose, he
says. England flooded tho Russian pos
sessions with her secret emissaries, whose
object was TO excite the fanatic natives
to wage a holy war against the Musco-
vite. But this alone was not the cause %
the rebellion.
NJ. Tageff maintains that one OF the
greatest sources OF the trouble was tho ma
tive officials-that Is TO say. the chief OF
villages chosen by the people. These per
sons, he points out. were literally running
the population. The complaints which
were made respecting them had no effect,
apparently in high quarters. for no atten-
ton was paid TO them. On several oc-
casions NJ. Tagleff remarked the presence
in certain public places Of preachers OF
holy war against the Muscovite. With
barred head and chest and energetic ges.
lures the fanatic would address a crowd
whose numbers during several hours con-
tinually increased. exhortng them to re-
volt. In some rare cases, a mounted po-
liceman would drag the preacher or 70
prison. but, generally, no interruption
took place, and he was allowed 10 speak
as much "folly"-as the Russians
thought-as he liked.
Each year. during a series OF fiye. the
number of fanatical preachers increased,
but the management of the country re-
NAMED undsturbed. In the year 1888 Gen.
Provato Schveikoffsky was appointed
Governor In Ferghana, and coincident
with this nomination Russian frontier
official was murdered By kirghiz. BY or
der OF the Governor a number OF arresls
were made and those included the CHI
dren Of a woman who was the wife OF
a celebrated Khan and former Governor
They were lodged in jail. and eighteen
months later the eldest was hanged al
Ocha. The execution OF SO popular ma
tive caused great excitement. IL was con-
fidently expected. indeed. that great
bands OF Kirghiz would attack the prison.
and in anticipation Of this the Russians
made preparations. Most OF the garrison
were away at the time OF the manoeo-
vres, but one line regiment-that when
was attacked recently with so tatal Al
effect-remaIned in the town.
The strained relations continued ah'
the Russians apparently took no steps "
improve matters. Petitions were stu az
dressed 10 the authorities. and sun no re-
dress was forthcoming. At one period Z.
bad did matters become that the state =.
the province might be described as tnat 0'
a country In time OF siege Mere upstairs
ignorant inexperienced. incompetent per-
sons-were appoited TO positions OF power
and responsibility. In 1856 and 1897 thlhs'
continued 20 grow worse, and al ,as'
bands OF people who had rebelled ayains'
the Muscovite authority went about lh'
country committing all kinds Of depreo4-
tfons. Even then the lethargy OF the hus.
sian Government was remarkable. 1n''
failed 10 realize the seriousness OF th'
situation, and IL was not until the massa-
ere OF soldiers on May 18th at AndiJan thas
they suddenly awakened 70 Il knowledse o.
the true state OF things. IL would appear
that the rebellion at AndiJan was prem"
ture. andwas but part OF concerted rs
Ing which had been planned 10 take pla's
throughout Ferghana.