THE LAND OF UNREST 395 



hood of interference on the part of Russia, the Dungans 

 would revolt again on the least provocation. 



The Chinese element is chiefly official and com- 

 mercial, and, in consequence, makes up the resident 

 population of the towns. In Dzungaria there are alto- 

 gether five towns of greater and two of lesser importance. 

 Of the first mentioned there are : Urumchi, the capital, 

 where resides a Futai — the governor of Dzungaria and 

 Chinese Turkestan, a Grand Treasurer, a Tartar General, 

 and a considerable garrison ; Chuguchak — on the 

 northern frontier — of economic and strategical im- 

 portance, but not at present utilized to any great 

 extent ; Manas, the agricultural centre — ^the granary 

 of Dzungaria ; Guchen, the terminus of the trans-Gobi 

 trade-route, and Barkul, of no particular note. Of lesser 

 size are Shi-kho, at the junction of the Chuguchak and 

 Hi roadways, and Sharasume, the new military post in 

 the Altai. These towns form the temporary homes of 

 the Chinese rulers, the military element, and the 

 traders. 



Here the Celestials live, completely oblivious of the 

 fact that they are, in reality, exiled, among entirely 

 foreign surroundings. They show here that extra- 

 ordinary adaptability to their surroundings which marks 

 them all the world over, whether in the Port of London, 

 in San Francisco, Australia, or South Africa. 



Besides the Chinese, Chanto merchants do a very 

 considerable trade in local produce, and are the agents 

 for Russian goods, which find a ready market. In 

 Urumchi alone the Turki population numbers a quarter 

 of the whole. 



Over this nondescript population rules — or rather 

 ruled — the Emperor of China through the agency of the 



