New-York tribune., 1901-07-28


Gates that Thibet The Forbidden Land, may
become better known to the civilized world IN the
near future. The report says:
A Burial from Transbaikalia, named Akho-
ranbo Atchwan Dorshieif, who has gained the
favor of the Dalai Lama OF Thlpel came 10
Iivad.a last October and was received py Ihe
Emperor. He returned to Thibet ana succeeded
in pcrsuading the Dalai Lama to send a SPeciti
mission to ST Petersburg to open friendly reia-
tions with this country. This mission has ar
rived under the guidance of DorshieH, ana mas
been received by Count Lamsdorff. 1t consists
Of four persons. one OF whom is the Ltld
Il9mas second secretary. 1t brings an auto
eraph letter from the Regent of Thlbet 10 the
Car
The Russian newspapers attach much inn
portance to this journey, and no doubt prop
ery. 1t marks another step IN tne tAIenSGn ol
Russian influence toward the lndo-Chinese
possessions of France. The Russians regard the
establishment of a chain OF c"minullcatioils
across the rear Of the Indian Empire and the
permanent isolation of India from the 1ahGtSe-
Kiang valley practically assured. The 'NoVoe
Nremya" regards the sending OF TINS MISSION
as proof that the prowess of Russia in Man
rhurfa has penetrated to Thihet, and there is no
reason 70 doubt that active communications are
maintained between UrSa in Mongolia, Where
another Dalai Lama sits as Regent. and Thihet
This journal thinks it only natural that Thloet
should seek in Russia a protector against the
"creed of England" or that other outlying ter,
yitories Of China should turn their races 'o"iiu
ne white Car
Gussia's tactics in Manchura have caused one
writer to say that if the territory has not yet
become quite dependent upon the protection OF
he Russians the administration lis Chinese IN
lame only, since the potential guarantees or
law and order emauate from the military pre-
domination which exists; while, by curtaihnE
The powers OF the Chinese officials unti they are
..thaut authority. and have become the luStru-
rents of the new order the Russians have
gathered up the r,.ns Of government and set an
inGolibe impress upon the people as upon the
land Corrupt among themselves. tho Russians
ia D
cupdi;y e the local officials. and hy H." pres
tt4tion of orders or with gifts oc money th"y
Aaye seduc-l the fUu,tiuu.ries OF th" Ir'.in .'"l
administration. Those who would oppose the
Russians have long since lcft the city. Muk-
den is no place for independence. cpmpltisaucc
bcrets its own reward. hut IL must hc said ;hat
there be few who missing. Tho Fu-tu- Tuns
struck a blow for China. ana IS now fugitive
in Mongolia the Tcheng-Chi did not and hc now
wears the cross OF -. Anna with the star OF
the second class And tho story runs
There are many Chinese officials who wear
these orders here. while, in curious irony. others
will receive them when they secure for certain
Russian officials that decoration OF the Chinese
,Empre-the Star Of the Double Dragon-which
may be awarded to foreigners. | know Of sev-
eral cases where this transaction is pending but
in the mean time. Manchuria is passing over"
RUSSIA'S FIRST OVERTURES
The present is the first opportunity that Rus
sa has had to make ovcrturcs TO Thbet-for.
although it is a country Of COL 500 square miles,
with a population estimated at over six million.
II Is an unknown land except TO the few intrepid
advcnturers who have explored ii al great per
sonal risk The country is in Central Asia
bounded on the north ty the Kwenlum Noun
tains, on the east by China proper. the south
hy the almost impossible Himalaya Mountains
and on the west by kashmr. The mountain
range on the south separates Thibet from Brit
ish India, and Eastern Turkestan separates il
from Russia The country, which became sub
ject to China early in the seventeenth century
contains the sources of the Yangtse- Kiane the
Indus and other large rivers, and the country is
for the most part a high tableland
The reasons why Thibet should be called The
Unknown Land" have been reinforced and more
In the last two years by the blood Gu riding
narrative of torture which was brought back tn
lbs government by Savage Landor in 1899 Mr.
Landors experiences also to remind the
world at large that, unlike any other country
even In Asia at the present day, Thibet is un-
Ger what may be said to correspond in Soma
1ashlon to the Christian idea of a theocracy-a
government in which the religious hierarchy also
Yields despotc temporal power Such as II is
the religion OF the country is the prime motive
or all its life. whether for good or evil 81 have
Dunged through Asia Minor lived In almost
ron