The San Francisco call., 1904-04-23
Internal Strife in Tibet.
lErnm the London Tlnaes.l


history Of the migration of Tibetan au-
thority from Tashe-Lhunpo to Lhasa
is clearly known. The former Lama is
perpetual reincarnation Of Manju-sri
or Amitabha, the latter of Avaloskites-
vara, the pupil of Amitabha. Spiritu-
ally, therefore, the Tashe Lama, or
Panchen Rimpoche-"Glorious Teach
er''-as he is more ceremonially
named, is the superior of the Dalai
Lama of Lhasa. But the assistance of
Kushi Khan, who was called in by the
Dalai Lama in 1912 to prevent the de-
predations of a native lord. Tsang-po
by name, of Shigatse. secured for Lha-
sa the undisputed sovereignty of CEN
trail Tibet, which is now roughly de-
fined by the province of L. The other
province, that OF Tsang, was indeed
left to the Tashe Lama, but Kushi
Khan, partly from Incidence and part
ly from favoritism, allowed the tenn
poral authority over both provinces to
become transferred gradually to Lha-
sa. Thus the spiritual superior of the
Dalai Lama became temporarily his
inferior. and a somewhat anomalous
rivalry between the two great heads
Of Lamaism was thus begun, which
continues to the present day.
There is no question that among the
common people the Grand Lama of
Tashe-Lhunpo-wh is a great mon
astery mile or so from Shigatse, the
town of second Importance in Tibet
is regarded with even greater awe
than is the Dalai Lama. The Chinese
Regent, when one exists, pays to the
former greater respect, and Sarat
Chundra Dass. in his exceedingly in
teresting record of his travels. men
tiOns a curious legend that the end of
Lamaism and of Tibet will be marked
by the withdrawal of the Tashe-not
the Dalai-Lama to Shambala, the
Utopia of the Buddhists.
The balance of power is fairly even.
The Kalons, or great Ministers of State,
and the Da-pens, or generals. are fair
ly distributed between the two prov
inces. But the presence of the Chinese
Amban and of the three populous mon
asteries of Lhasa. with their annual
Chinese subsidy, turns the scale against
Tashe-Lhunpo. During the sojourn of
the mission at Khambajong last year
the friction between the two Lamas
was repeatedly emphasized. Technical
ly speaking, the mission occupied
position upon ground under the gov
ernment of the Tashe Lama. Early in
the diplomatic contest Lhasa sent a
peremptory order to Tashe- Lhunpo de-
manding why the P'ilings, as the Eng
lish are called in Tibet, had been per-
mitted to intrude. and insisting upon
their immediate expulsion. The Tashe
Lama, knowing as well, indeed, as
Lhasa that the mission had proceeded
TO Khamba by direct permission of
China, took no steps to obey this in
junction or annoy the British deputa-
ton in any way. Every offensive ac-
tion was the immediate work of the
Lhasan authorities. By them the Eng
lish camp was placed out Of bounds
to all under their government. From
Tashe-Lhunpo and Shigatse visitors,
inquisitive and amused but always re-
spectful, arrived daily. Two men at
tached to the mission, who were by
birth Tibetan but by domicile inhabit-
ants of La-chung, in Sikkim, were ar
| rested, tortured and apparently. though
this is not so certain, put 10 death by
the Lhasans. The men of Tashe-Lhun-
po, as this outrage was perpetrated
in their own capital of Shigatse. ex-
pressly disowned to Mr.. White all re-
sponsibility for the event, for which
satisfaction will ultimately be demand
ed. The Abbot of Tashe-Lhunpo, the
second in rank in the province Of
Tsang. paid a long and courteous visit
to the mission, and expressed himself
in very different manner from that
Of the terrified Chinese representative
Ho or the curt insolence of the Lhasan
ENJOYS. AS a result the Dalai Lama,
who had proposed to pay a vi&t of
! ceremony to Tashe- -Lhunpo in the
course Of the winter, countermanded his
orders, and remains at Lhasa 1t is
not an exaggeration to say that, as
the Grand Lama of Tashe- Lhunpo re-
/ CARDS the attempt of the Indian Gov
ernment to open up amicable relations
with Tibet as in no way compromising
either the religious or political inde-
/ pendence of Tibet, he is not wholly
displeased at the terror and anxiety
which the ostrich-like policy of the
Dalai Lama betrays. 1t is the opinion
of every one who has been qualified
to form an opinion that a very real
| friendliness is felt and, so far as their
present servience permits, is displayed
by the men of Tashe-Lhunpo and Shi-
gatse.
Much, then. may be done by skillful
diplomacy. Nothing would bring the
authorities in Lhasa to a quicker per-
ception of their duties than a fear that
their persistent refusal to treat our
Commissioners with respect may COM
pei us to negotiate direct with and
therefore, Of course, greatly strengthen
their rivals. If so the Dalai Lama will
have himself alone to blame. At pres
ent it seems that the wisest course.
whatever action is taken by Lhasa,
may be to enter into a friendly treaty
/ to mutual advantage with Tashe-
Lhunpo. II lies with us to restore her
to the position she once occupied, a
position from which she was ousted
only by the now dead and ridiculous
suzerainty of China. She, far more
than Lhasa, would guarantee the
northern approaches to India. The
Tsang-po, or BrahmaDutra, forms an
excellent natural boundary between
/ Norfhern and Southern Tibet We NOV,