The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-04-14
A Cycle of Tibet.

|
| New York American.
| A Cycle of Tibet.
| The fight of the Dalai Lama and
the Chinese occupation of Tibet may
| be regarded as definitely marking the
end of the old and the beginning Of a
new era in the history of the once
| Forbidden Land. 1t is now about four
centuries since hierarchial Lamafsm
| became paramount in Tibet, and until
the recent British incursion to Lassa
| it's strange authority was substantially
unchallenged. Now it is broken down,
and there is no reason for supposing,
and certainly none for wishing, that
it will ever be restored. The spiritual
authority of Buddhism may remain,
| but the temporal sovereignty OF the
| professed reincarnation of Gautama
has passed away forever.
This memorable occurrence is
doubtless largely due to- the unex-
planned neglect of the powers behind
| the fantastic throne to induce. by
means best known to themselves. a
Idisembodiment and another reincarna-
| ton of Buddha's spirit at the accus-
| toned time. Hitherto it has been the
rule for the Dalai Lama to be a minor,
reigning under a regency or guardian
ship. He was selected and appointed
| in infancy and died before attaining
| his majority. Not so. however, the
present incumbent. He, indeed. was
chosen in infancy, and his expectation
| of his ephemeral predecessors. But
for some reason he has been permitted
to live. until now he is a man of mid
die age. When he became man he
regency and set out to govern Tibet
as an Independent nation in an indie
| pendent fashion OF his own.
1t was his ambition to free Tibet, not
| only from the Chinese regency, but
also from Chinese suzerainty. and to
| make 1t an entirely independent en-
pire; but to attain that end he chose
unfortunate means. He began by IN
triguing with Russia. and at the same
time Systematically annoyed and at
fronted Great Britain in her Indian
empire. In the latter respect his con-
duct became so bad as to provoke the
sending of a British mission. with mil
itary escort. to Lassa in 1904. That
was the beginning of the end. Treaties
were made in which Great Britain and
Russia undertook. to respect Tibetan
integrity, but also to recognize the
suzerainty of China over that land and
to conduct all diplomatic relations
with Tibet through the Chinese for
eign office.
Since then the Dalai Lama has spent
much time in China on a somewhat
shown himself much more a worldly
politician than holy incarnation of
Gautama Buddha. The Chinese gov
eminent has now, for good reasons,
authority over Tibet more effective. So
the Dalai Lama has departed from his
shrine, his capital and his country, and
the Chinese government has taken
hold of affairs at LaSsa with a strong
and practical hand. Lamaism may
continue as a religious force, but tenn
poral sovereignty will be exercised by
the secular government at Picking. The
cycle of Tibetan mystery and seclusion
is fulfilled and in the new cycle that
country will become as others are
New York Tribune.
New Yorl's Manners.
1--WE live here in the most insolent
city in the world" lamented F. Hop
kinson Smith. speaking as a southern
gentleman before the Southern soci-
ETY.. New York has to answer for
many faults, its own transgressions and
those OF the cong1omerate population
to whom it offers shelter. 1t is q
crowded and busting city, filled with
all sorts and conditions Of men. cava-
Tiers from Virginia and Puritans from
Massachusetts, westerners from a
dozen states and Europeans of a dozen
nationalties, all more or less sustained
and soothed by an unfaltering trust in
the correctness OF their own conduct.
The subway. for instance, is a hud-
died mob, from which the old-fashion-
ed Southern gentleman. If he still ex-
lists anywhere, might shrink from COM
ing into contact. In that case he will
find it more comfortable to keep an
automobile. So would manv thous-
ands of daily strap-hangers If they
could. AS for the police. from whom
Mr.. Smith complains that 1--WE can't
get a decent answer" the general
opinion is that handling large crowds
and looking after street traffic they
are the most efficient force in the
world.
New Yorks manners in the main
are what the people who come here
bring with them. Thew are of all
kinds, according to the individual and
the company he keeps. There are
gentlemen who find no occasion for
proclaiming the fact and others who
make themselves offensive by assert
ing it. Good manners. like good
taste, very often attract as little at
tention as they seek.-New York
World. :.
School for BIacksmiths.
Vice Consul James L. A Burren de-
scribes the operation of the German
young smiths receive instruction in
shoeing oxen and horses and preparation
for the examination in shoelng, which
was made compulsory in the German en-
pire by the imperial act of July l. 1888,
state examining commissions The school
is supported by appropriations from the
cultural associations in Halberstadt
1.-The courses of instruction last three
months and TOUR oil mem o are gwen ever. Dur
theoretical instruction is in charge of a
retired military veterinary surgeon. The
IS only marks 5 80 for Z the 0 Course sss
school very cheapIy. For young black
smiths without means four free courses,
each year. Candidates who pass excellent
examinations receive premiums. Only six
persons M Sss ars Nfs1 cn course OF