New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-17
TIBET.

The British expedition to Tibet appears to
have fluttered the Eurasian dovecOtes, as though
it were the beginning of a veritable Arranged
don. 1t is, OF course no such thing. The Brit
sh government has no thought of conquering
Tibet or permanently occupying it, or indeed
any part of it. The expedition is diplomatic in
purpose, its object being TO secure Tibetan
observance of certain treaty obligations con-
corning trade and commerce Naturally, it Is
thought prudent TO send n strong military es-
cort, especially since the Tibetans have been
talking about forcible resistance to the British
demands and have expressed expectation of
Russian aid in such resistance.
From a geographical point Of view, Great
Britain is unquestionably better entitled to
open up Tibet than is any other power and, if
ever the Chinese Empire should be partitoned,
Tibet should naturally be assigned to the Brit
ish. This is apparent from the fact that Tibet
actually abuts upon British territory, while it is
hundreds of miles from any other European
power. The Chumbi Valley, through which the
British expedition is going, lies between the
little Himalayan States Of Sikkim and Bhotan,
and gives access to Tibet directly from Bengal,
just north Of Darjeeling and in the shadows Of
the mighty peaks of Kunchinchinga and Ever
est. Sikkim, it will be recalled, is one of the
minor native States of British India, ruled by
a Maharajah while Bhotan, under two Rajahs,
civil and spiritual remains independent as
does also the much greater border State Of Ne
pal, northwest of Sikkim. Both BhOtan and
Nepal are, OF course, in the British sphere Of
influence" and are friendly with British India.
Indeed, the government of Nepal has recently
sent a vigorous message TO that of Tibet, re-
monstrating with the latter for resisting the
just and moderate demands of the British.
Of Nepal; "the British government does not APP
pear to have acted in improper or high
handed manner, but is simply trying to have
the treaty conditions fulfilled" And he con-
Guided his letter with the shrewd remark that
ito bring about unnecessary complications with
1.-The British government is like producing head
"ache by twisting rope round ones head when
sit IS not aching"-a figure which must have
impressed the lamas with particular force,
since such rope twisting Is 4 favOrite trick of
theirs.
The amazing complaint is put forth in Russia
that Great Britain in sending this expedition is
trying to withdraw Tibet from the absorbing
Influence of Russia" Seeing that five or six
hundred miles of Eastern Turhestan lie be-
tween Tibet and Russia, the ground of the lat
ter's absorbing influence" is not apparent. If
Eastern Turkestan, Sungaria and Mongolia are
conceded to Russia as her sphere of influence
in the western part of the Chinese Empire,
Tibet must as naturally and logically be as
signed to Great Britain. the boundary being
the Allyn Tagh range, running from the Kara
Korum Mountains to the headwaters of the Vel
low River. What Russia really fears is. proba-
bly,, that the British by establishing relations
with the Dalai Lama will gain dominant indu-
ence over the Buddhist world, from the Brahma-
pootra to the AMOR, and thus become the chief
Buddhist, as they are now the chief Brahmin
and the chief Mahometan. power.