New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-28

J. fSeat,- Colonel Indian Medical Service. with
xxi 5oL B. P. DUtton & Co.
Lieutenant Colonel wadders contribution to
the literature OF the British mission to Lhasa
necessarily covers much the same ground as the
books previously brought out by Messrs. Landon
and Gambler recently reviewed at some length
in these columns. He gives. perhaps more oe-
tailed information than they in regard TO the
expedition and more intimate insight INTO me
religious, military and civil institutions OF 4lDel
owing 10 his previous studies OF Buddhism and
his Official connection with the military emo Oh
The enterprise Yet for the lay reader the diher-
ence is not so strongly marked might have
been expected; and. somewhat strangely MS
book is less impregnated with the spirit OF
TIbe' IN lie than the two volumes already pup
lished The trained newspaper correspondents
more kesnly alive 10 new impressions and more
practised IN catching the attention OF the puDlc'
have succeeded IN presenting more vivid pictures
OF their experiences than the seientincaHy
equipped specialist
Thus. in Colonel waddell's account Of his Visit
with Afr. Iandon TO the monastery of the en-
tornbed hersnits near Gyantse, we gather more
rarticulars in regard 10 these jewellers IN Inc
Cave OF Happy Musings Misery than from
THE Times" correspondents book. but carry
away a far less dramatic realization OF the A"-
ful fate OF these misguided devotees, immured
each IN his pitch dark narrow cell, endiessy re-
peating meaningless spells accompanied by
gestures and attitudes designed TO cast out the
malignant demons, visions OF whom they must
periodically conjure up. Their fate is the worse
from the fact that the members Of the order are
recruited at the age OF ten twelve, so that
their living suicide while constructively ''voun-
tsry." has not the partial justification Of relig-
sous mania
However, Colonel Waddelrs volume can wen
afford 10 stand on its own abundant merits
without reference 20 what others have written
on the subject; and in the matter Of photographs
he has been especially successful in illustrating
his text His color picture Of the palace OF the
Delai Lama, on the Potala, which he took with
special apparatus. gives the most realistic idea
Of that wonderful building that has yet been
shown. This and the other color photograph OF
the sculptured rocks at Lhasa give rise even to
a feeling Of regret that the author has not SINH
larly reproduced other scenes in a land when
Mr. Landon describes Astounding in color
that has no parallel in the world" Like Alr.
I.andon. Colonel Yaddeu justihes the militant
character Of the Mission" on the ground OF
the necessity OF counteracting Russian influence
in Tibet and seemingly successfully establishes.
through extracts from Russian newspapers. the
fact that the Dalai Lama was sending auto
graph letters TO the Car through his inter
rlediary Dorjieff at time whsn he was return
ing, unopened. communications from the British
government, on the plea Of the Chinese suze-
rainty. which he was ct the same time .repudiat-
ing in his negotiations with Russia The
Nepalese consul at Lhasa Independently con-
drned these reports OF Russian intrigue. As a
military officer and so perhaps somewhat preju-
diced the author pays a higher tribute 10 the
military leadership OF General Macdonald than
is accorded him by Mr.. LandOn. who obviously
felt that efforts Of the Mission were at times
impeded by the INSTRUMENTATION Of the COM
Inanding officer Of the escort" Mr.. Landon
IL may be remarked parenthetically, is a great
admirer and a strong personal friend Of Colonel
Younghusband.
Having been attached to the expedition from
the first until its return. the author IS able
10 make his narrative more complete than either
Of the other accounts. From the unhappy
winter spent on the elevated. wind swept
plateau at Tuna where IN canvas tents and
without stoves the Mission awaited the mobil-
cation OF the troops and the ousrtermaster's de-
partment. with the mercury coyly retiring to
zero and beloSg, he came to symDathize with
the natives IN their aversion 10 the external use
Of water Still, as he points out the T1betans
have been maligned in this regard, and in the
spring several women washed their faces, and in
the less exposed regions the people are accus-
toned 10 battle once every year, while no less
than GO pounds OF soap were imported into
the Convent OF the Pigfaced Goddess, near Yam
dok Lake. into which the author peeped. were
very neat and tidily arranged" Immaculate
also were the temple and the residence OF the
chief oracle at Lhasa- The utterances Of this
Official are usually couched in categorical form
and have quite delphio ring to them, and are
often vague enough to admit OF more than one
Interpretation. Thus. when asked II the Brit
Ssh Mission would come to Lhasa, the reply was
The British are ike bubbles on water-here to-
day. away tomorrow" Other characteristic
examples are also given:
The meek sheep should not try TO initiate
furious bull. warning 10 an ambitious courtier.J
lEe1horting an official 10 give up pscUlation he
Though a stream has no claws it yet can dig
hole IN the ground. ITO reassure an aspirGntl
The Karmarshar oracle was definite enough,
however. IN volunteered statement made TO
Colonel Wadden. on the occasion OF his visit 70
the temple
Before left. the priest looked at me pisrcingly
ior an instant and asked: What is your age?'
are one year more; you are !" Then I re-
meInbered that few days before had passed my
which ne thus disclosed With this orscuar parting
his temple
Despite the peaceful teachings OF Buddha
whom they profess TO follow, and his precepts
against the taking OF life IN any form. the
Tibetans proved TO be sufficiently ready 10 kin
the British and 10 sacrifice themselves IN their
brave but impotent efforts to drive them from
the country. With proper training, Colonel
Wadden believes that they could be educated
into forming trustworthy frontier force for de-
fensive purposes. That they are no mean
strategists was curiously shown by the fact that
the places they had selected as camping grounds