Aug. 28.
It would be easy to draw altogether too optimistic conclusions from the report that peace has been concluded at Lhasa, and that the Chinese troops are preparing to leave the country. For one thing, account must be taken of the Chinese forces now advancing under the command of General Chang Hsun. Their difficulties must inevitably be enormous. 'A powerful mounted force, armed with modern rifles, is operating in Eastern Tibet with the express purpose of opposing the advance of a relief force from China. The only course open would appear to be an ignominy ious and dangerous retreat, involving serious loss of face and a practical admission of the inability of China to maintain her sovereignty. Such an admission compares strangely with those statutes and regulations regarding the position of Tibet which have resulted from the solemn deliberations of the National Council. But the virtual surrender of their arms by the Chinese garrison in Lhasa, to which affords striking evidence of the enthusiastic and—widespread nature of the Tibetan revolt from Chinese authority. This actual event was predicted a month ago by our Tachienlu correspondent, who pointed out that all Chinese garrisons in Central and Eastern Tibet, were in a precisely similar plight. Deprived of their own rations and compelled to live on the food of the country, a taste for which is somewhat difficult to acquire, they have been bartering their weapons for money which they could obtain in no other way, and have thus actually furnished the means for their own probable destruction.
It is interesting to note that as regards the extent of this enthusiasm for independence some difference of opinion exists. The retreat of the Dalai Lama from Lhasa and his cautious return from Kalimpong have been explained in more ways than one. "The Times" expressed the view that he was ignorant of the course of events in Eastern Tibet, and that Lhasa had sometl to fear from pro-Chinese ten cies in that quarter. The Englishman" tells the story of leisurely advance from Katiueng, to Yatung, Phari, and Tuna. At!
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.