The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-03-23
RIGHTS OF EXPLORERS.
Mr.. Labouchere Fails to See Why savages
May Not Be Exclusive.
(From the London Truth. }

Among the few spots on the face of the
earth which have managed to keep them
selves out of the grip of European agrees
sion is the plateau of Thibet. This the
Thibetans have SO far achieved by abso-
lutely forbidding any foreigner to enter
their country. They forsee, take 1t,
that, once admit the "explorer. and you
will find coming behind him the mis-
sionary, behind the missionary the trader
and behind the trader the soldier.
They judge from what they see and
hear that the only way to preserve politi-
cal independence against the encroaoh-
ments of the "civilized' foreigner-Brit-
on Russian, or whoever he may be-is
to prevent him from getting footing in
the country under any pretext. That
they are right in this, the history of
every "noncivilized" people abundantly
proves.
Last week, before the Royal Geographi-
cal Society, Mr.. St. George R. Littledale
recounted to an admiring audience the
result of an organized attempt on his
part to break through the exolusiveness
of the Thibetans, and penetrate to Lhassa
despite the objections of the people. For
this purpose he fitted out an amateur ex-
peditionary force. His party entered
Thibet thirteen strong, among them be-
ing party of Pathans armed with rifles
and reyolvers.
When they reached the more thiokly
populated region of Thibet they We're
officially ordered to retire, but persisted
in advancing The Thibetans were evil
IDENTIFY afraid to attack. but parties armed
with swords and matchlocks rod along
side of the invaders. AT a river ford the
Thibetans made a show of resistance.
:" A determined looking individual" laid
his hand on Mr.. Littledale's bride. The
latter whipped out his revolver" and
ordered his men TO load, but. on seeing
that they meant to fight, the Thibetans
again gave way.
The Invaders pressed on to within two
marches of Lhassa. where the Lamas
came out in force with about 500 men
and ordered them to retire. So alarmed
was tie country that all the bridges be-
tween this point and the capital were de-
stroyed. At this point, however, Mrs.
Littledale. who had accompanied the
party, was taken i'll, and her husband
withdrew the minimum demand"
which he had formulated, that he should
be allowed to enter Lhassa, and partly
by threats and partly by diplomacy sue
ceeded in getting permission and assis-
tance to pass through to Kashmir.
I would respectfully ask what right has
any private individual to fit out an armed
expedition of this kind and attempt to
foroe his way into q country the rulers
and people of which, for excellent reas-
ons, order him to withdraw? 1t sounds
very fine and pluoky, no doubt though
to all appearances twenty resolute and
we'll armed Englishmen might subdue all
Thibet In few weeks.
1t would also be plucky thing, I sup
pose, If I and friend were to knock at
Mr.. Littledsle's door. whip out revolv-
ers," insist on making an inventory of
Mr.. Littledales furniture and effects,
and demand the right to take what re-
freshment we needed in his dining, room,
simply with view of going away and
boasting of our bold performance Many
people, however, would insist on regard
ing it as impudent and blackgnardly
rather than brave. Between this and Mr..
Littledale's "demand'' to be allowed to
enter Lhassa, what is the difference?
Neither he nor any other European de-
sires to explore Thi bet for the benefit of
tho Thibetans. The primary motive is
that of doing what nobody else has done,
and cutting figure afterward at soirees
IN London. Ihls sp1rlt may be leg1t1-
mately INDUCED by climbing inaocessi-
bic mountains or exploring the polar re-
gions, because the hero in those cases can
injure no one but himself. But when
heroism takes the form of threatening
battle, murder, and sudden death to q
peaceable and unoffending people, and
forcing your presence upon them in def
anoe Of their perfectly legitimate objeo-
tion to receive you, it seems to me
worthy Of just as much admiration as the
heroism of the burglar, and no more.