The sun., 1910-02-27

The Dalai Lama Appeals to Britain.
The fruits of British honesty are ripe
for the gathering in Tibet. That bleak
and inhospitable land on the roof Of
the world, whose inhabitants are chiefly
noted for their lack Of cleanliness and
their success in keeping out foreigners.
received the visit OF O. British mis-
sion six years ago, sent by the esti-
mable Lord CURZoN OF kEDLRsToN.
Viceroy of India. By force of arms and
with the expenditure OF many Tibetan
lives Colonel YoUNGHUsBAND with his
mission made his way to Lhasa, laid
bare the secrets OF that mysterious
town and settled the differences with
the Tibetan Government Had Lord
CURzoN had his way he would have re-
mained in possession; as it happened he
was ordered 10 withdraw and Britain
was able to boast again of her fair deal
ing with a weaker nation.
Though the British were able TO come
in contact with the lesser Of the two re-
ligious heads Of the State, the Tashi
Lama, and with the Chinese officials
who manage political affairs, the holy
chief Of Lamaism, the Dalai Lama or
Grand Lama, eluded them. He sub
sequently made a progress through the
Chinese Empire, where he was not
treated with the respect which he felt
was due TO him. At the same time the
Tashi Lama broke through the tradi-
tons Of seclusion and made a journey
in India, receiving everywhere Atten-
ton and reverence. Sir SVEN HkD1N,
who saw him not long ago, describes
him as a young man Of remarkable in
telligence who comprehended much of
what he had seen.
The Tibetan mountaineers are an
independent and fanatically religious
people; they have put up with Chinese
protection partly because they could
not help themselves and partly be-
cause they have regarded the Chinese
Pas Bfddhists. China or at any rate
the Chinese officials on the border seem
determined TO change protection. into
dominion, and an armed invasion OF
the country has begun accompanied
by money exactions. Remembering the
power and the honor shown by the
British nom India in their expedition,
and having doubtless also learned much
from his colleague the Tashi Lama, the
Dalai Lama now turns to the British Raj
for aid and begs q refuge in India.
The Dalai Lama is eternal. His
perpetuation is q religious mystery,
the reincarnation in a young child of
the soul OF the Lama whose earthly
covering has worn out. Somehow the
Chinese overload has managed TO direct
the transmigration to the boy It has
preferred, and it Is believed also to have
hastened the process OF disintegration
in Dalai Lamas who made themselves
Questionable. Whatever his sins may
have been, it is but natural that the
present offending Dalai Lama should
seek TO put his mortal envelope out Of
the reach Of his Chinese inquisitors.
II the reinoarnation is proclaimed while
his body still wanders on earth a schism
in Lamaisrn Is inevitable, for, besides
the native Tibetans, the religion has
adherents in Russian territory and in
India, as wen as in China.
The British convention with Tibet
provides that no territory shall be sold
or even mortgaged to any foreign Power
and that Tibetan affairs shall not be
managed or interfered with by foreign
ers except with the consent Of the Brit
ish. This has been ratified by China;
and both Britain and Russia have agreed
to negotiate regarding Tibet only with
the Chinese Government. II China is
regarded as a foreign Power and the
reports Of aggression on the people and
the head of religion and nominal ruler
Of Tibet are verified, the treaties have
been violated and Great Britain may be
obliged to intervene
That Russia viii make strong objec-
tons to an extension OF the Indian from
tier in region so remote from her pos
sible sphere of action seems unlikely.
Whether widening the Himalaya barrier
Is worth diplomatic struggle. whether
the Brahmaputra Valley will warrant
the risk of hostilities, may be question
able. The religious prestige 10 be
gained in India is a consideration; per-
haPs too IL may be safer to close the
gates to possible new Mongol invasion.
At any rate the Dalai Lama has value
in British hands, and it is probable that
Tibet may before long become less in
accessible 70 Europeans.
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We had almost given up as lost the
tuneful laureates Of Brushy Bayou, Of tha