Among the Mongols

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1883 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXXII. MONGOLIA'S TWO NEIGHBOURS, RUSSIA AND CHINA. Russia, in contrast to China, offers protection. Provides travelling facilities. Has a fixed currency. Fosters industry. Brings over her subjects to Christianity. The advances of Russia in Central Asia are at present occupying a good deal of attention; perhaps, therefore, some observations about what Russia does for the tribes over which she extends her empire may be interesting. As the range of my personal observation has been confined to Mongolia and Siberia, I limit my remarks to what I have seen and heard in these parts, contrasting the effect of Russian influence on the north, with the effect of Chinese influence on the south. Protection is the first and most important consideration for any nation or tribe, and in this respect Russia shows to immense advantage when compared with China. The Mongols under Chinese government seem to have no protection at all. A band of robbers has only to appear, and the country far and near is at their mercy. Messengers may be sent to Peking on the fleetest horses; the officers at the nearer military centres may bestir themselves as they like, the military organisations are such that no protective force can appear on the scene RUSSIA PROTECTS HER SUBJECTS. 367 till long, perhaps months, after the country has been eaten, and the inhabitants dispersed or slain. Then, after all is past, ponderous and expensive military detachments arrive, and take up their residence somewhere or other, remaining inactive perhaps for a year or two, drawing their pay, making their squeezes, sending to Peking reports of imaginary actions and victories, while the robbers either continue their career' in some conveniently distant part of the country, or gradually...