Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1914-06-04
GAVE RUSSIA CHECK
Sir Francis Younghusband's Sue
cessfuI Mission to Tibet.
Perilous Journey Through Hostile
Country Rewarded by tho Signing
of Treaty Which Protected Inter-
ests Of Great Britain.

The perils of mission into a hos
tile country, through treacherous
mountain passes, to negotiate treaty
with a people who refused to enter
into any negotiations, are described
in a communication to the National
Geographical society at Washington
by Sir Francis Younghusband, who
headed the famous British mission to
Lhasa, Tibet.
Instability along the Indian frontier
and the approach Of rival power IN
Tibet drove England into the latter
country. explains the sOldier-dlplomat.
1t was suspected that secret negotla-
lions were being carried on between
the Tibetans and Russia. which would
work to the detriment Of England with
her vast interests in India. Finally,
no progress having been made by at
tempted long distance negotiations
since the Tibetans refused to negou-
ate. 1t was decided to send party 10
the sacred city of Lhasa itself. Inc
escort of Sir Francis at the start was
200. but later the detachment was
swelled to 4,2S0 native Indian and 500
British troops.
We started in May" says Sir Fran
els. I'VE halted twelve miles within
the border to discuss with some Chl-
nese officials the matter OF treaty
regularizing our relations with the
Tibetans Tibet being under the suzer'
ainty OF China. We made little prog
ress, however. and In December de-
cided to push on to Lhasa." The hard
ships of the winter trip over the lima
layas, the endless and fruitless nego-
tiations with the Tibetan military
leaders and priests, and the siege en-
dured by Sir Francis and 500 OF his
men for two months while surround
ed by 10000 Tibetans In small In
closure on one OF the high plateaus,
are described, together with the hnal
fruition OF his efforts, the signing or
the treaty In the palace OF the Dalal
Lama himself In the Forbidden City.
the attendant celebration and the
peaceful journey back to India.
Il thought at one time had gone
step too far In insisting that the treaty
be signed In such sacred and Famous
place, knowing that my government
would be as well satisfied with docu'
ment ratified in my own tent or any
where else, SO long as 1t was valid,
continues Sir Francis. But ] chung
to my point, feeling sure that the IN
fuence of such a setting on the Tibet
ans and the people of the territories
that bound their land would greatly
enhance the value Of the agreement.
and SO 1t turned out
Sir Francis tells amusingly OF the
newspaper accounts which commented
on and admired the dignity and brav'
cry" OF the Tibetan troops, who. when
forced to retreat, moved slowly on at
the rate Of but two miles an hour. 1T
was not bravery or dignity 30 much
as altitude" he says. Later we mad
occasions to retreat for short dis
tances ourselves, and although ex'
tremely DESTROYS of making good time,
we found II Impossible 10 run OF WAN
at a faster pace than two miles an
hour In addition. owing to the rarity
OF the mountain atmosphere, shells
from the guns OF our mountain battery
travelled about twice the distance on
the same charge Of powder as they
would have done at sea level. Bullets
from the rifles behaved the same way
and we were compelled to revise com
pletely our system Of sighting our fire
arms"
The people Of Tibet believe the soul
OF the Dalai Lama never dies. upon
his death It passes to the body OF
babe born as near as possible to the
time OF the dissolution. The new
lama comes into his full rights on his
eighteenth birthday