MOSLEM VICTORY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20274, 7 April 1934, Page 24 (Supplement)

MOSLEM VICTORY.

Revolution on the Roof of the World. PEACE IN SINKIANG. NEW DELHI, March 26. JUST beyond the Himalayas, in the region picturesquely * described as “ The Roof of the World,” a force of 1000 Moslem tribesmen have made themselves masters of a territory four times the size of the .British Isles and immensely rich in minerals and agricultural products. The territory is known as Sinkiang, or Chinese Turkestan. The Chinese Government in Nanking claims, but cannot exercise, control over this remote region. Seven years ago the Chinese governor was murdered by rival Chinese officials, who seized all the gold and silver in the province. When they tried to do the same with silk, rebellion flared up, and the whole province has been in a state of constant revolt and civil war ever since. Last summer a joint Moslem force of Tungan and Turki tribesmen succeeded in driving out the Chinese officials and garrison from Old Kashgar, the capital of the province. After their victory, however, the allies quarrelled, and the Tungans were besieged by the Turkis in the citadel of New Kashgar. At the same time they established an independent republic with a President, a Cabinet, and a flag. That happened last November. From then until the beginning of February the sole activity of the Turki Government seems to have consisted in attempting to storm the citadel of New Kashgar. The beleaguered Tungans held out, and after a time became confident enough to sally forth and attack the Turkis. Finally, on February 6 (according to a Government of India communique), the Tungans captured Old Kashgar. The Turki President and his Prime Minister and the whole Cabinet fled, and the city was surrendered to the Tungans without a fight. Peace reigns in Sinkiang—for the present.