The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1904-08-11
Camp Near Sacred Mountain.

Camp Near Sacred Mountain.
Lhassa. Thibet, Aug. 3.-jDelayed in
transmission THE British expedition Is
encamped a mile from the sacred noun
tain of Potala. on which is situated the
dalai lama's palace, and in the immedInte
vicinity of the dalai lama's private gar
dens. The dalai lama fled to moals-
terry eighteen miles distant.
Col. 10unghusband has received a cere-
monial visit from the amban, who prom
ised 10 assist in arriving at Il settlement,
and made gifts of food 10 the British
troops.
The appearance of the city shows the
descriptions of explorers TO be extremely
accurate. The surrounding, are fertile,
and the whole place gives evidence OF
great prosperity.
5000 Troops Enter Sacred City.
London. Aug. S.-Maj.-Gen. MacDon-
aid. with 1000 British and Indian troops.
occupied Lhassa. the capital city Of
Tibet, known as the sacred city, at noon
last Wednesday.
The marching of British soldiers into
Thibet is the most astounding event in II
thousand years of Asiatic history. For
1900 wears LhasSr has bren the most
hallowed spot in y sia. i Is the religious
metropolis of the Buddhist world.
has Been forbidden Land.
For centuries Thibct has been the for
hidden land. lis capital has been the
worlds one ulsolved mystery. LhaSst
has been seer from Il distance, but never
before mas the white unbeiever stepped
foot un'its sacred streets.
The amas fought the British advance
foot by foot all the way through the mar
row passes in the IImalayas. Defeated
1t every turn, they implored the British
troops 10 turn back and not set foot with
in the precincts of their sacred city.
Col. Younghusband Obdurate.
Col. Younghusbani the British COM
missioner, replied that the proposed treaty
must be signed in Lhassa. He promised
that none of the British would enter the
monastcreS il they were not fired upon.
1t is not known how long the British
troops will remain in Thibet. Russia has
been watching the British expedition with
Il jealous eye and fears that Thibet is to
be annexed to the British empire. Lord
lnnslowne has assured Russia that Brit
ish occupation of the city will be only
temporary. unless unforeseen Circuu-
stances occur. What the unforeseen cir
cumstances' may be is left TO conjecture.
No Menace to Russia.
Foreign newspaper writer's who rcvel
y
move on the political chcs>hoard have
been pleased to see in this forward move
mnnt an attempt on the part Of Great
Britain 10 utilize the opportunity of Rus
sian pmbarraSsmcnts in the far east to
settle finally the deStincs of Thihet. The
explanation of the advance into Thibet,
however, is quite Unconstitutional and has
no essential connection whatever with the
!nrgcr issues of Ansl0-Russiau rivalry in
Asia.
Ever since the establishment of tna
British protectoratr over Nepal Skkim,
and Bhutan rendered England reSpon-
Sjhle for the peaceful relations Of those
states with Tablet, England has had
troubles with the government at I.hassa.
Every possible impediment has been
placed in the way of Indian traders. and
the Thibetans have been encouraged 20
raid the frontier. and assert claims for
in 1889, the Indian government was com
PEELED to send a small expedition to
chastise the Thibetan raiders, who had
invaded Sikkim.
Thibetans Ignore Treaties.
In 1890 and 1893 fresh treaties were
signed providing for the deimtation of
the Sikkim-Thibet frontier. the opening of
Iatung in the Chumbi valley to trade,
and the free passage of certain mer-
chandise across the frontier. Once more
both the Chinese and the Thibetans re-
fused TO observe their pledges
In reply TO remOnsranccs from Eng
land the Chinese government proposed
last year that commissioners should be
sent TO the frontier to arrange a new
moduS yivendi. and it was in conse-
ouence of this invitation that the Young
husband mission was organized and dis
patched.
Treated as Hostile Force.
The mission reached Khamba long last
July, only to find that it was treated as a
hostile force. 1t has been met by no
commissioners on the part Of the grand
lama, and il has had to complain of gross
discouWesy aud even serious mcnaces on
the part of the Thibetans.
Under these circumstances punitive
measures of some kind became inevitable.
The only alternative was TO Withdraw
the mission, and thus to confess in the
face of all Asia that Great Britain was
powerlcss to in sure the observance Of her
treaties with Thibet and the protection OF
her Indian subjects in that country
Fight Over the Mountains.
Gen. MacDonalds expedition was
thereupon decided upon. He was given
a force of 5000 men to escort Col. Young.
husband and three other commissioners
to I.hassa. The troops fought their way
over the mountain trail to GyAngtsp. 4
distance of 12O miles. After numerous
battles the lamas made no further resist
ance and the troops marched into Lhassa
TRY TO ASSASSINATE