Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1899 American Edition.djvu/1330

 974 RUSSIA

Seyd Mahomed Raliim Khan succeeded his father in 1865 as reigning sovereign ; born about 1845. The heir-apparent, accepted by Russia, is Asfendiar, the third son of the Khan (by a Persian slave).

Russian relations with the Khanate of Khiva — an Usbeg State, founded, like that of Bokhara, on the ruins of Tamerlane's Central Asian Empire—- date from the beginning of the 18th century, when, according to Russian writers, the Khivan Khans first acknowledged the Czar's supremacy. In 1872, on the pretext that the Khivans had aided the rebellious Kirghiz, an expedi- tion advanced to the capital, bombarded the fortifications, and compelled the Khan to sign a treaty which puts the Khanate under Russian control. A war indemnity of about 274,000Z. was also exacted. This heavy obligation, still being liquidated by yearly instalments, has frequently involved the Khan in disputes with his subjects, and Russian troops have more than once crossed the frontier to afford him aid and support.

The Khans of Khiva have been Mohamed Rahim Khan, 1806-25 ; Alia Kuli Khan, 1825-42 ; Rahim Kuli Khan, 1842-45 ; Mohamed Arnin Khan, 1845-55 ; AbduUa Khan, 1855-56 ; Kutlugh Murad Khan, 1856 ; Seyid Mo- hamed Khan, 1856-65 ; Seyid Mohamed Rahim Khan, 1865.

Area, 22,320 square miles; population estimated at 700,000, including 400,000 nomad Turcomans. Chief towns— Khiva, 4,000-5,000 ; New Urgeuj, 3,000 ; Hazar Asp, and Kungrad.

The religion is Mahomedan. Army, about 2,000 men.

The annual production of silk is said to be about 48 tons ;'of cotton, about 8,064 tons.

The exports of cotton in 1888 were 57,000 bales.

Books of Reference concerning Khiva.

Abbott (J.), Narrative of a Journey from Herat to Khiva. London, 1884. Burnaby (Col.), A Ride to Khiva. London, 1884.

MacGahan (J. A.), Campaigning on the Oxus and the Fall of Khiva. London, 1874. Rectus (H.), Nouvelle geographic universelle. L'Asie Russe. 1881. Rocca (F. de), De I'Alai a I'Amou-Daria. Paris, 1896. Wood (H.), The Shores of the Lake Aral. London, 1870. Yoimghusband (F.), The Heart of a Continent. London, 1896.

PORT ARTHUR AND TA-LIEN-WAN.

By an agreement, signed March 27, 1898, Russia has obtained from China a lease of Port Arthur and Ta-lien-wan, with the adjacent seas and territory to the north, the limits of which are still undefined. The duration of the lease is to be 25 years, but may be extended by mutual agreement.

Within the whole land and water area leased, the control of the military and naval forces, as well as of the civil officials, is vested in a Russian officer. All Chinese military forces are withdrawn ; Chinese residents may withdraw or remain ; but Chinese accused of crime shall be handed over to be dealt with by the nearest Chinese official.

To the north of the territory leased there will be a zone where Chinese juris- diction will continue, Init where Chinese troops may not be quartered without the consent of Russia.

Port Arthur is reserved as a naval port for Russian and Chinese men-of- War, closed against naval and merchant vessels of other nations. One i)art of the harbour of Ta-lien-wan is reserved for Russian and Chinese men-of-war, but the remainder is left as a commercial port open to merchant vessels of all countries. Both of these ports are being fortified.

The agreement contains stipulations in the interest of Russia regarding the construction of railways.