Book Review: Etherton at Kashgar Rhetoric and Reality in the History of the Great Game by Daniel C. Waugh

I believe this research article is a very important one, as it brings out the complexities regarding the politics in East Asia in the late ninetieth and early twentieth century.

Etherton’s career is highlighted in the first chapter. Etherton was a British officer, traveler and writer. He fought for the British in Africa in 1901 and then joined Garhwal Rifles, a largely native regiment in northern India. Etherton’s two famous books are Across the Roof of the World and In the Heart of Asia. George Macartney was Etherton’s predecessor who considered him to be a scholarly and energetic man. The challenges faced by the British Consul in Kashgar are discussed. George Macartney had come to Kashgar in 1890 to represent British interest in the face of the already established Russian presence. His government saw fit to appoint him officially as Consul only in 1908.

Etherton’s responsibilities were political in nature but that did not undermine the question of trade and commercial interests. In fact, trade and commercial matters were also important, even in the period from 1918 to 1922. The Consul cared for the interests of British subjects in its region of China, that is the Indian merchants who in many cases had long been resident there. They controlled the trade across the passes from Kashmir, were actively involved in the trade across the passes from Kashmir, were actively in the trade with Russia, and played an important role in the financial life of oasis towns in Western Xinjiang.

The origins of the Kashgar Mission are discussed in the third chapter. This Mission included three officers which include Frederick Bailey, L. Stewart Balcker and Percy Ethorton. The aim of this mission was to find out exactly what was going on in Soviet Tashkent and to try to cultivate good relations with the new Soviet regime there in order that it prevent Central Asian cotton from being shipped to the Germans. The particular role of Captain Samad Shah, a cousin of the Aga Khan, in providing information is also highlighted in this particular chapter.

The consulate’s intelligence and communication networks are briefly explained in the fourth chapter. Etherton was able to cultivate Kyrgz tribal leaders in the Pamirs for information. On the other hand, informants for Sarikol plateau and Wakhan included Ismailis. Etherton used to send his own agents on specific missions, where they could cross the border disguised as merchants.

In 1918 the telegraph line of the British was extended from Gilgit to Misgar. Writing about the British government policies toward the Bolsheviks the writer considers Etherton’s purpose of network to be two fold. The first was to gather intelligence and second was to take steps which might counter political threats. In March 1921 to Anglo- Soviet trade agreement was signed. This caught Etherton, the far flung representative by surprise. Etherton had even used Fatwa from the Sheikh-ul Islam denouncing Bolshevism. In his report Etherton had included subjects of lasting interest to him which included Pan-Islamic movements and the role of the Japanese in East Asia.

In the second half of this research article the author is critical of Eherton. He questions Etherton’s special budgetary requests for secret service work. Skrine came after Eherton and a few months after that bluntly criticized Etherton in 1923. Etherton took leave from the post in 1922 and had the intention of returning, but his superiors did not wish that.

When Skrine arrived in Kashgar he discovered that the financial accounts in the Consulate were in total chaos. Skrine also accused Etherton of indulging in sexual dalliance with local prostitutes in official residence of Kashgar. Skrine said that for three and a half years Etherton had lovely time at the expense of the poor old impoverished British Empire. It is believed that Etherton was manipulating exchange rates in China, falsifying records, depositing funds in his own bank account in India, and held no accounting for his secret service operations in 1921-22.

The author believes that Etherton published his book to justify his actions and ensure his place in history. Furthermore, the author believes that activities of all the travelers in Central Asia need close scrutiny in order to get a better understanding of the events in nineteenth and early twentieth century.