The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-05-10
THE rHIRErANs STUBBORN.

THE THIBETANs STUBBORN.
The British, in their efforts TO .reach
Lhassa, the capital of Thibet, are
meeting with much more stubborn re-
sistance than they expected. Accord
ing to our dispatches yesterday there
was stiff fight at Kairo Pass in
which the Thibetans lost 200 men and
the British lost a captain and three
men killed and twenty-one wounded.
The British expedition is under the
command of Col. Younghusband. He
has $500 men under his command, and
he began his march toward Lhassa last
December. The distance from the
railway terminus in India, the starting
point of the expedition, to Lhassa, is
about 300 miles. It is apparent there
fore that Col. Younghusband's progress
is remarkably slow. The reason
doubtless is that he has TO build the
road over which he passes, and from
all accounts he is making one that will
last for many years.
OF course Col Younghusband is act
ing directly under orders of the Indian
government, but the action of that
government has the approval of the
home government. His instructions
are to proceed to Lhassa and make a
trade treaty with the Grand Lama of
Thibet, and to remain until the treaty
Is secured.
Thibet is practically an unknown
country--unknown except to it's own
people and the Chinese. 1t is prov
ince of China, though it hasn't ac-
knowledged the suzerainty of China
since 1895. Before that time it paid
tribute to China. but when China was
worsted in the war with Japan the
Thibetans decided they wouldn't pay
tribute any longer, and China has
never taken steps to enforce it's au-
thority over the country.
More than year ago Col Young
husband went to Lhassa for the pur-
pose of negotiating commercial
treaty, but the Grand Lama refused to
see him. AS the trade of Thibet is
quite valuable, and is practically mo-
nopoized by the Chinese, the British
thought they would like to have
share of it, particularly as the Thu
betans do a good deal of trading with
the people of the adjacent provinces of
India.
The truth probably is that England
wants to get control of Thibet, and is
making the need of a commercial
treaty with her an excuse for getting
foothold in the country. 1t wouldn't
be surprising if it should turn out that
it is her intention to hold the country
even though her demand for a COM
mercial treaty should be granted. She
is satisfied that Russia intends to an
mex Thibet if she doesn't, and she
doesn't want Russia so close TO her In
dian possessions.
AS matter of fact, Russia sent
agents to Lhassa when England was
occupied with the South African War,
and the Grand Lama. in return, sent a
delegation to st. Petersburg with rich
presents for the Car. This was under
stood to mean that Russia had estab-
lished a friendly understanding with
Thibet, and would exercise domino
ting influence in that country. The
real reason therefore why a British
expedition is fighting its way to Lhassa
is, doubtless, to practically take pos
session of that country while the Rus
slams are occupied with the japanese.
Trade is the excuse, but land grabbing
is the real purpose
The Thibetans are making a brave
and determined resistance to the inva-
sion, and Col. Younghusband may
have to call for assistance before he
gets to the end of his journey. If the
Thibetans were well armed and prop
erly led it is doubtful II Col. Young
husband would reach Lhassa, because
they fight with desperate courage.
With their Anticipated weapons, how
ever, they are no match for the SUI
perbly equipped and trained British
soldiers.