By tomer Tachientu, June 15.
peter Fleming must have cast a dark and sinister spell over Mr. W. H. Potts who left Tachienlu yester-ina second attempt to reach Yunnan, Burma, India and England. When he arrived in Shanghai from New Gulvea several months ago he determined to follow a route somewhat similar to that followed by Peler Fleming, only where the latter travelled northwest, the former travelled southwest, both hoping to reach the same point in India, Both, journeys, up 10 a certain point, were remarkably similar as both' men could oust of a knowledge of Chinese. words, and both travellers were constantly faced with passport Gimieultles, Again, both were more or less journalists and had a definite object. in their travels, namely, the writing of @ book, s0 whatever untoward experiences they encountered simply meant new headings for chapters.
Mr. Potts left Yachow on April 20 and arrived in Tachientu on April 27, Soon'after he went to see the cal authorities who ave him every. encouragement regarding his journey towards Yunnan. Asking him to Weave his passport he was informed that a Chinese passport would be written out and sent to him in a few days. Thus encouraged he went head and made a small tent, spending the next two weeks in prepara-tons for the journey overland to Burma, "Everything seemed. to. be shaping well and the young traveller was more than overjoyed at the happy prospect, He began to see his interesting book taking shape so started collect notes from every available fource—the yellow, red and black lama sects were closely studied and the different lamaseries visited and explored,. Visits were made to 'Tibetan homes in the city and everything Mr, Potts saw interested him: immensely. There was however one litle cly in the ointment; the Chinese passport, atter more than one wee Aelay failed to materialize, Tt was promised' for next day but failed 10 come. It would be sent direct on Saturday, quite sure, but Saturday passed and there was' no passport.
To solu Opium Caravan the meantime, having been promised a Chinese passport, Mr. Poils went ahead and secured three animals in a Jarge opium caravan turning to Liklang, in Yunnan. The caravan consisted "of about 100 rumals and presented an exceptional portunity in getting safely through wild, robber country" with a. well-trined outfit, "The" Yunnan opium caravans are well armed and are prepared to defend themselves against tole and Tibetan bandits, The Yunnan merchants hired out. three animals at $40 per animal; which was very reasonable. All Mr. Potts had do now was got his, Chinese pas port, sit tightly on the back of a Yunnan pony, and one of the most Interesting chapters in his coming book was already written, Butt Mr, Potts saw the local authorities on April 29 and left his British passport with -them; being promised a Passport for the long Journey down inia Yunnan. On May 10 the local authorities gave permission to take the journey, saying, however, that Passport -wag unnecessary, and the Chinese authorities "could dake no responsibility if; anything happened, and he was prepared to sign' a star ment to that effect, Everything looked perfectly rosy' and the budding young author was quite ready to sign anything to the tune of Birmingham. Fat pork, eggs, potatoes, buns and sugar were carefully packed and a Young Chinese servant was hired for journey, The ivan leader Was now anxious to be off but consented to walt another day, in' the Meantime sending the main' part of the caravan ahead, the evening of May 10 two Young fellows called from the local administration saying as no passport had been given the journey would Rot be permissible, Mr, Potts took. Teluge in the knowledge that Peter Fleming had had @ similar experi-fie on several. occasions and ultimately pulled through... So nathe ug daunted the young traveller was Prepared to put other wheels in Motion. A passport would be granted aid the local authorities if the Chi-"ete Foreign Office in Chungking Would give their consent, Through the good services of HM. Consul {his permission was evidently granted but the local administration in reply aid that a wire had come from the Foretgn Office in Chungking but it {2s in code and someone had foolish-
jaulte impossible to decode the token away the code book making diagram, This was bad news. For fame reason or other the local {ithorities now deemed the journey own through the -Yellow Lami territory unsafe or unwise and so were unwilling to take any responsibility for Mr. Potts' safety. Ap-Parently there was some difference, of opinion among the members of the administration; "some seeing no danger in the journey; while others strenuously opposed it,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.