The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-31
EXPLORING UNDER DIIEIcUL1IEs
Impediments which the chinese Put In the
Way of Capt. Densy.

Capt. H. II. T. Dcasy, the English explorer,
returned 10 London in the middle Of Dcccmher
after spending two years In exploration in almost
unknown parts Of East Turkcstan and western
Tibet In this time he travelled about hity-thfec
hundred miles and achieved excellent results
though repeatedly embarrassed in his projects
by the obstructive tactics Of the Chinese officials
lie crossed over from India into tho noun
famous region Of eastern Turkcstan to map the
unknown parts OF the Sarkand River. long
and rapid mountain stream flowing on, into the
desert Capt Dcnsy had taken great trouble
to obtain from the Tsung II Yamen at Pckin
passport authorizing hmto travel through the val.
Icy Of this river Public orders were sent TO Chi
nese officials 10 give him every assistance. lie
found later. however. tina, private orders had
simultaneously been issued 10 obsttuct his prog
rcss in every possible way, and the officials &C
cordinEly made II almost impossible for the OK.
plorcr 10 obtain provisions or any assistance.
The result was that this first attempt was failure
and the exploration Of the river had TO be carrie!
later by ascending instead Of descending H.
Then Dcasy went 10 the town Of Polu near the
northern frontier Of central Tibet to survey the
magnificent snow clad mountains of that region
and determine the height, OF as many Of them as
possible. The Chinese Governor at POu also
proved TO be an obsfuctionist of the first water
and refused W allow the explorer 10 travel through
the mountains by the direct route. Capt. Dcnsy.
however, succeeded in getting along without
Chinese aid and made n triaugulation across the
kucn Lun range getting the data needed To de-
tcrminc tho position and height OF about ninety
mountains. lie also discovered the sources TO
tho KhOtau River
The explorer then returned Ia Snrkhnd one OF
the chief towns Of Chinese Turkcstan and made
q ANAL and successful attempt 10 explore the I'M
known parts Of the Sa-knnd River. The Chinese
repealed their usual tactics but did not defeat
the explorer this time. The Governor Of farkand,
for example. promised Dcasy all assistance, but
no sooner did the expedition leave his town than
he sent letter 10 the officials ahead Of the party
saying that British traveller was wandering
about the mountains and warning everybody
u keep a sharp lookout and report on the myster
iOus travellers movements.
Tho Chinese In fact, were utterly unable 10
understand why any one should travel about
at great personal inconvenience III n most dill
cult country and through exceedingly narrow
and deep valleys Many Of them supposed that
Dcasy was looking for new routes that India
could Use Ia inyah Chinese territory. aud ~
they threw stumbling blocks in his way. He
completed however an accurate survey Of all.
but few miles. of the unknown parts Of the
Yarkand River
Then Dcasy undertook tp carry out further
explorations In northwest Tibet, but he was ter
ribly hampctcd by the people who hal been warned
on no account u render him any assistance.
lie was therefore compelled 10 advance without
the necessary aid met the greatest hardships and
finally had ~ return as rapidly as possible 90
India without carving out all the work hc had
planned u do The surveys he made, however.
are valuable and are now being incorporated In
the map Of that part Of the Chinese domain.