New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-03
TIBET FIGHT REGRETTED
RRIT4IN FEARS 4 VAR.
Strong Opposition to Governments
POLICY IN India.

Tc~5-n Apfll The slaughter OF the Tibet
,~s entirely kills such waning interest as still
.xsts here in the Japanese-Russian struggles
,bs news OF the wholesale bloodshed excites, as
general ruie feeling of depression. first be-
osure the average Englishman scarcely sees
,bst 4 was necessary, and. second because there
.s General apprehension that IL may lead to COM
nlirations with Russia The last thing the Brit
sch public wants at the present moment is an
other war. and what is most dreaded is a rise
IN +he income tax. Hence. the tragic events in
Gar OF Tibet are especially unwelcome at this
reriod. when the taxpayer is nervously waiting
10 see how he viii be called on 10 pay of the
national deficit
The extreme Liberal papers seized on the
slaughter at Guru as one OF the worst blots on
,be history Of England. The Daily News de-
cla-es that no more "wanton or discreditable
business has been brewed by our pro-consuls IN
India since the time of Lord Lytton." Other
napers Of the same political views describe Colo
rel Younghusband's mission as another Jane
son raid.
The government organs, while expressing the
regret felt in official circles that such event
occurred at this moment reiterate Lord Lans-
downe's assurances TO Russia that Great Britain
has no intention Of annexing Tibet. The text OF
those who defend Colonel YOunghusband's ac-
tion is Lord Lansdowne's statement in the
House
IS a new convention with the Tibetans and with
china as the suzerain power OF Tibet.
CHINESE NEUTRALITY ENDANGERED.
The Opposition. however points out that China
has repeatedly protested against the strength
Of the escort with which this political mis-
sion" is accompanied. and says that as mat
Ter Of fact. Grea: Britain is now at war, not
with Tibet. but with China, thereby endanger-
sne Chfna's neutrality toward Russia and Japan
and -isking the peace CT the world.
This extreme view IS ridiculed IN official cir
clee where the case OF Cuba is tnstanced
raraIlel It is held in Downing Street that Tibet,
tv refusing trade privileges. returning official
letters unopened and not respecting boundary
rights. has become as dangerous a neighbor to
the Indian Empire as Cuba in her unrest was
20 The United States. Much stress naturally is
laid on the fact that the regrettable bloodshed
was only due at first 10 hostile act enanating
from the Tibetans. but this defence is not Ike
IL 10 have much weight in the agitation which
the Liberal party doubtless viii foster against
she motive that prompted the expedition
Lord Curzon Of Kedleston is soon likely 10
tfare with Lord Miner the bitter personal hos
filthy aroused among the opponents Of the gov
ernment by the introduction Of Chinese labor In
she Transvaal In the minds OF the masses.
"
have lost faith in the present government, the
slaughter at Guru is likely TO be considered as
q stain on Lord Curzon's administration which
only the defeat Of the responsible ministers can
wipe out The Indian Secretary. MIR. Brodrick,
the least popular member of Mr.. Balfour's Cab
inet win again be in hot water the minister
who must explain to Parliament.
LORD CURzoNs SPEECH DIsLIKED.
Lord Curzon's recent speech at Calcutta,
which St Petersburg dispatches say has created
so much feeling, was not warmly welcomed here
and az the time IL was thought he had indulged
IN dangerous wealth Of Oriental imagery suit
able for the consumption OF native princes but
erninently untitled for perusal at St. Petersburg
and Paris, in view Of Great Britain's deter
rnination rot TO be involved in the Far Eastern
struggle.
The government has done everything in its
power TO belittle and keep quiet its plans in re-
gard 10 Tibet. Indeed If the war between
Japa- and Russia had come earlier It is likely
that the Tibet expedition would have been post
poned. Though apparently Colonel Younghus-
bands mission is mainly aimed at destroying
alleged Russian influences in Tibet, this is not
regarded as vital when compared with the para
mount Importance OF keeping clear of the Russo
Japanese war.
Il is not regarded likely that serious inter
national complications viii follow this affair.
but China's action in the matter will be rather
Rn1iously awaited. The Russian Minister at
Feking is not expected 70 let the incident pass
without drawing some comparisons that viii
scarcely be favorable to British policy toward
che Chinese government.
Colonel Younghusband has seventy-fve miles
more 70 travel before he reaches Gyangste.
where he has been ordered 20 stop and parley
before actually demanding entrance into an
cient Lhassa. 1t is possible that he may not be
permitted 10 proceed even TO Gyangste, which
is 100 miles from Lhassa. In any case, IL can
be taken for granted that the government will
50 everything in its power to prevent repeti-
don Of the bloody scene at Guru. Colonel
NOunghUsband's escort. however is prepared
for all emergencies. and II the step is considered
advisable the force is probably quite strong
enough 20 reach Lhass2 and there establish
Euch control OF affairs as might be considered
necessary. For this emergency, which scarcely
seems likely 10 crop up. General Kitchener,
master OF detail and transportation, personally
supervised the fitting ont OF the command OF
General Macdonald. which is escorting Colonel
Gounghusband, the political agent Of the Indian