The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-01-29
The Danger in Thibet.

A1oiitoii, jail. q WIN the DANCE Oh
a clash In the far east believed to be
averted, interest has been partially al
verted to the almost equally serious
position In Thibet, where Russia and
Great Britain have divergent claims to
paramount influence. At the present
moment far-seeing diplomats regard
the danger of open hostilities between
he lion and the bear as by no means
slight. 1t is realized, of course, that
much will have to be done through dip
lomatic channels before a clash could
come. but it is realized also that unless
one side or the other backs down COM
pletely war Is the only possible event
ual outcome.
Russian Entertainments Seen.
Following her usual policy in such
matters, Russia has been gradually
pushing her frontier forward. One year
a lone survey party" appears and
lodges itself in tents. The next the
tents are replaced by little stone huts
occupied by a party Of soldiers sent
out to guard the surveyors" Then fol-
lows a garrison and then strong forti-
tications. Meanwhile the surveyors"
have pressed forward still further and
the small detachment of guards have
followed. Thus it has been going on for
some years., ii" the British India office
Is seriously alarmed as to the ultimate
fate OF Thibet, which. as a buffer state,
is one of the Indian empires chiefest
safeguards.
Matters came to a head last year
when news was received that Musco-
wife officials were coquetting with the
DALAI Lama, the spiritual and political
ruler Of Thibet, making him presents
and striving to obtain the right to sup
plant China as his traditional protector.
To offset this British ENJOYS were
sen to interview the Lama, but in &C
cordance with that practice which for
centuries has kept Thibet closed to all
but Buddhists. they were turned back.
back, guarded by a strong military
force under Colonel Younghusband,
than who the British army has few
ADLER diplomatic officers. That eXpe-
dition is now on it's way, halmpered by
q total lack of accurate information Of
the country, but, apparently, progress.
ing slowly and surely.
Danger Is Imminent.
The immediate danger lies in a clas..
with the Thibetans. Should they feel
that the British expedition We're an en-
enactment on their privacy and appeal
to arms, England would. of course.
avenge any attack on her peaceful
mission" Then the Thibetans would
more than probably appeal to Russia
for aid and the fat would be i'll the fire.
1t is a matter in which Great Britain
can hardly recede without laying her
Indian empire open to possible Rus
sian attacks. 1t is a case in which
Russia would be unwilling to give way.
as surrender would defeat her carefully
followed plans of half a century. Con-
s]e1nently, diplomats and soldiers are
watching the progress of events with
the keenest interest, not unmiXed With
anxiety.
II is limited, by the way, thai Eng
land has beer keener in her support
Of Japan during her trouble with Rus
| STA than might otherwise have been the
case, as she felt that q blow to Rus
| sian prestige in the east would GER
tainly be carried to the Dalai Lama
and would be likely to influence him
against the Muscorite should the clash
come. A d~iscredited Russia is less like
ly to be invoked as q protector than q
Russia successfully defying the world
to remove her clutches from Manchu-
ria and keep her clutches off Korea.
Hence Britain's anxiety TO insure the
success OF the Japanese remonstrances.