Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-02-26
CHINA EXPLAINS
Why the DeIai Lama Is
Deposed as Ruler,
Deserted His Capital After
Trying 10 Start Revolt.
Circulated False Reports After His
Return from Pekin.

Pekin, Feb. 25.-The Chinese govern
ment has deposed the Delai Lama as
head OF the Tibetan government and
in an official statement, issued today
explained its action on the ground that
the nominal ruler had deserted the
capital following an attempt by nm
to organize general revolt. The Of
fetal statement follows:
THE Dalai Lama. upon his arrival
at Lhasa from Pekin. circulated, with
the object OF organizing a general re-
volt, these rumors: First. that China
intended to exterminate Lamaism, and
second. that British trade il effect was
iniuring Tibet The Dalai Lama then
took measures to thwart this trade
Whereupon China became alarmed and
ordered 2000 troops to go to Lhasa with
the object of preserving peace and af-
fCrdinG protection.
When the Dalai Lama learned of
the above, the Pekin government or
dered the Chinese resident to reason
with the Dalai Lama, who refused to
listen and on the 18th secretly left
Lhasa with his followers. The resident
searched ineffectively. whereupon
China deposed the Dalai Lama, order
ed the Tibetans to elect his successor,
and issued decree ordering the pro-
lection of Lamaism and the strict OBJ
serVance of the existing treaties with
foreign powers concerning Tibet, with
the purpose Of preserving the status
quo
The official decree deposinG the
Dalai Lama and depriving him Of all
rank and orders accused him of dis
obedience, intrigue and refusal 10 pay
tribute. FINALLY il charactcriZcS the
Buddhist pope as one of the worst
Dalai LamaS ever known.
The eGict degrading Dalai Lama to
the status of Il common subject is
throughout a severe arraignment and
among the terms applied to him is
that of AN ungrateful, rrelisious. OBJ
streper0us proiligatc who is tyrannical
and so unacceptable to the TiDetians
of the LamaS."
The edict declares that al TibetianS
are Chinese subjects and they are Or
dered to obey the law aud preserve the
peace. The Chinese authorities state
first that Wen Chung Yao, the assist
ant resident in Tibet is q capable man
and determined to enforce China's pro-
gram of reform in Tibet and that it
was necessary to deprive the Dalai
anna OF his political influence; second
the Dalai Lama appealed for help to
the Indian Buddahsts who are re-
sponsble for the sensational reports
emaninating from Calcutta.
!, The government authorities are
anXicUs because of the deposed Dalai
Lana's power TO incite his CORE
liSioniSts and fear foreign complica-
tons. The severely blame and hold
responsible the Chinese resident at
Lhasa who will probably be punished
because OF the Dalai Lama's escape.
Official kilograms report that the Dalai
Lama's bodyguard fought with the
Chinese at the military post at
GyangZe. Tibet
The arrival of the Chinese column
at Lhasa caused sensation here be-
cause of the remarkable military eff
fort though the announcement was
premature The magnitude of the
military operations of the Chinese have
been greatly exaggerated. 1t is well
known that successful military move
ments have been conducted in eastern
Tibet since last August but the opera
tons were on small scale and not
connected with the Lhasa expedition
which developed since October when
the Dalai Lama's disloyalty assumed
definite form.