158 A NATURALIST IN WESTERN CHINA 



from Mao Chou in the north through the Chiench'ang Valley 

 to borders of Yunnan province. The power exercised by 

 the chiefs varies according to their proximity to thickly 

 populated Chinese districts or otherwise. In the former it 

 is almost nominal, whereas in the latter case it is very 

 considerable. 



In addition to the above are certain feudal states whose 

 overlord owes his office directly to Chinese influence, and who 

 is bound, if called upon, to render military service to China. 

 These feudal chieftainships are hereditary and were originally 

 bestowed as rewards for assistance rendered to the Chinese in 

 breaking up the Chiarung confederacy during the reign of the 

 Emperor Kienlung. Many of these, for example the Tsa- 

 ka-lao chief, have very considerable power and influence in 

 the temporal affairs of the surrounding tributary-controlled 

 kingdoms. The people are mainly of the same stock as 

 the Chiarung tribes. All the chiefs of these feudatory 

 states and tributary kingdoms are closely related by inter- 

 marriage. 



The Chinese designate the inhabitants of this borderland 

 " Mantzu," a contemptuous term signifying " Barbarian " and 

 of no ethnological value whatever. But the policy they have 

 pursued in dealing with these people has been shrewdly wise if 

 unscrupulous. With arms and money the Chinese have dis- 

 played their power and obtained what practically amounts to a 

 suzerainty over the whole borderland. A former emperor 

 said : " Wardens of the Marches should seek to checkmate the 

 native tribes by becoming intimately acquainted with them and 

 their customs and thus able to prevent any united action. In 

 this way the tribes will remain weak and easy to manage. They 

 should be encouraged to appeal to Chinese authorities for 

 advice and protection in their disputes with one another. 

 These authorities will, of course, be in no hurry to settle their 

 cases. If the tribes are taught to fear the Chinese, and the 

 officials act with energy, all trouble will be avoided." This 

 crafty advice has long been acted upon by the Chinese, with 

 much success from their own view-point. 



From this brief and very incomplete general account it 

 may be gathered that this hinterland is a fascinating region. 



