"ملخص للأحداث الرئيسية. ١٩٠٨" [و‎‎٢‎٣] (١٥٦/٥٠)

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In the same month Kan Tajen, Ambnn of Yarkand, was dismissed, probably
on account of his inability to settle the outstanding cases between British and
Chinese subjects which have been the subject of frequent reference to Peking,
as well as on account of his extortions. His successor arrived at the end of
August.
In July, too, a rumour was current that the Amban of Uch-Turfan, Peng
Tajen, had been relieved in consequence of his Muhammadan proclivities
which betook no trouble to disguise during the Hindu*Muhammadan fracas
in 1907.
In August the Tung-Shang of Kashgar returned to that town, on being
relieved of the acting appointment of Amban of Yangi Hissar by the newly
appointed permanent incumbent from Urumchi.
In December was reported the dismissal of the] Amban of Keriya and his
replacement by the Amban of Goma.
The Hsien-Kuan of Kashsar, remarkable for his incorruptibility, was said
to have resigned at the end of December on account of ill-health; probably, the
real cause is pressure brought to bear by the Taotai.
In May the notables (Bais) of Kashgar suggested the substitution of a land Tftxafclon *
tax, in place of a proposed tax on deaths and marriages, to provide funds for a
school, the establishment of which was being urged by the Central Government.
The suggestion was approved but the rate of the tax was not settled. In
December it was reported that none of the native inhabitants of Kashgar would
have anything to do with the Chinese school.
At the end of June the Provincial Governor ordered the collection of a new customs,
tax called by the Chinese Ying-hua-Shui which literally means stamp duty.
This tax corresponds apparently to the trade license system of Russia and is the
first step which has been taken towards the adoption in Kashgaria of foreign
methods of raising revenue.
In May it was reported that a likin official had arrived at Urumchi and
that another was en route to Kashgar.
The new scale of customs dues imposed by the Chinese on taking over the
customs from the merchants has been the cause of several representations on
the part of the traders in Kashgar to the Taotai. The new duties amount
to about 6| per cent, ad valorem and cannot be considered excessive, although
they appear so to the merchants as the old rates were absurdly low.
In March complaints were made to the Taotai by merchants in Kashgar Currency and Banks,
of the large amount of bad money in circulation. It was stated that the mint
was employing 20 per cent, alloy instead of the legal 8 per cent. Demands,
therefore, were made for the introduction of the staple currency of Kasligaria,
mz., pure silver, and it was pointed out that the debasement of the coinage
was likely to lead to a rise in the price of all commodities owing to the difficulty
of distinguishing good money from bad.
In December it was reported that the Amban of Kliotan was arranging
to start a local bank.
Captain A. R. B. Shnttleworth was formally recognised as British Consul Anglo . Chinese Rela .
at Kashgar on the 24th August in accordance with instructions issued to the tions.
Taotai of Kashgar by the Wai-wu-pu at Peking. The appointment was
officially recognised by the Russian Consul on the 5th September. There is
every indication that the change in designation has given general satisfaction
to all classes of the community, and especially to British subjects, who feel
that no\tf the British representative has the same status as the Russian the
latter’s ascendancy v/ill be less marked in the future. During the Consul’s
autumn tour through the districts of Yarkand and Khargalik evidence was
received from all sides of the great increase of British prestige in Kashgaria
brought about by the improvement in his status.
Further testimony to the improvement in Anglo-Chinese relations is afford
ed by reports of December which announced that all the old claims of British
subjects against inhabitants of Yarkand had been settled and that at Khotan the
Chinese were treating our subjects with fairness.