Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-20

ana dread at the situation In Indla, IL
cannot fail to note with
Permanent interest every manifesto
~, ton of unrest among the
peoples from the Indus
to the Brahmaputra and beyond. There
is unrest in India China and Tibet, and
| the fact that these are composed of Budd-
hists. Brahmanists and Mussulmans con-
stitutes at once a permanent peril.
February % the Chinese troops entered
Lassa the capital of Tibet. and residence
of the Dalai Lama, the supreme head of
the Lamaist hierarchy. The Dalai Lama
on the approach Of the Chinese, with
several of his ministers. fled to India.
The Chinese government thereupon issued
| an edict deposing the Dalai Lama. alles-
ing that this action was taken, first, be-
cause of his desertion, second. because
of his attempt to organize a general re-
volt.
The edict recites. besides. that China
was accused of desiring to exterininate
| Lamaism. that British trade was inJur-
| ing Tibet. that China, alarmed at these
acts. had sent 1900 troops to occupy
Lassa with the object of preserving the
peace and affording protection.
THE Dalai Lama" said the edict, is
an ungrateful, irreligious. obstreperous
ceptable to the Tibetans. and accordingly
an unsuitable chief of the Lamas.'
Lord Morley, secretary of state for In
dia. stated in the house of lords on the
opened communication with the Chinese
government in regard to the unexpected
and interesting situation. Meanwhile
strict neutrality would be observed
Lord Morley further stated that the
Dalai Lama would be invited to occupy
the Warren Hastings house in Calcutta,
and be treated with the courtesy and re-
spect due to "a ruler of high spiritual
authority and the object of veneration
to many millions of his majestys sub
jects.' Manifestly the British govern
ment would have us believe that it has
captured a great prize in the person of
the Dalai Lama.
In any case a dispatch from Calcutta
March IA ANNOUNCES that the Dalai Lama
arrived there on the 18th, and having
visited Lord Mimic, was escorted by him
to the state golden chairs and that an
hour later the viceroy returned the visit
to the Lama at Hastings house.
X
1t is recalled that the Dalai Lama fled
from Lassa in the spring Of 1904. when
Col. Sir Francis Edward
previnus Younghusband led the
British forces over the
mountain passes u TIC
Himalayas and entered the holy city of
Lassa. The dissertation required atone
ment, and in this spirit the Dalai Lama
fed and wandered over deserts Of north
ern China followed by great retinue.
In time as the followers increased the
cities and villages visited were precipi-
lately abandoned by the Inhabitants,
who were no longer able to support the
| tribute of expense. which amounted
oftentimes to $1,000 day.
When the Dalai Lama's welcome was
worn completely out and his own purse
exhausted he made Decline Tor Pc
king where he arrived September ~,
1905 The Chinese made many profess
sions of delight over his visit, but at the
same time the prospect or having 10 pay
for the honor of the visit $4,000 day
was not pleasant. The government. in
deed, counseled the Dalai Lama to re-
| turn to Lassa. and, accordingly, Few
months later, the Dalai Lama's caravan,
consisting of 414 persons. 300 horses, $50
camels and so tents, departed for the
holy city.
| The Dalai Lama's heart was made
glad, however. by the honors which the
Picking government had conferred upon
him. He now bore the title Of sincere
and LOYAL Spreader of Civilization,
a title which commanded the respect of
more than ordinary Importance.
In 1904. it may be remarked, the Dalai
Lama went to Picking to protest against
British invasion. In 1910 he has fled
to India to invoke British protection
against a Chinese occupation.
Lamaism is the corrupted Buddhism or
Tibet and Mongolia. and coupled with ST.
vaism was introduced
Corrupted into Tibet in the seventh
49, century Lamaism for
buoonlsM. fact is nothing more
than the Shamanism of Korea. It has
added some rituaiistic beliefs and prac-
tees. but it has faith in the spirits of
earth and air. the good dragon who re-
sides under ground, and the bad dragon
whose kingdom is In the air. There is or
ganization, however. In LanAaism. the use
of prayer wheels, prayer flags, rosaries.