The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-09

PIES, ana inc rellglON is q low grace
Lamaism or Animism.
History handed down by word Of
mouth by the Chinese Of the south
ern provinces has II that the races
now living In the mountainous regions.
or ono Of these races, once was spread
oil over southern China" DR.. Beech
said 80, too, says the tradition Of
Tibetans on the other side. The
tribesman. too, have this tradition and
relate that they were driven back and
back and finally into the mountains.
1T is interesting to speculate on
how much truth there Is in these
traditions. We know that most Of
the races OF Europe came out Of the
depth of central Asia 1t may he
supposed that each race. moving on
ward, would leave behind some REM
nent Of it's people. The onward press
OF other peoples would compel those
remaining, no matter how brave, to
desert their broad territories and take
refuge in the mountains. A little
north of this region arose tho great
est conQueror the world has ever
known. Genghls Khan Thus in the
Snowy mountain chain. 30 called be-
cause It's peaks are always white,
were left remnants Of many once great
tribes, tribes which still preserve much
Of the civilization Of their an
cestors. but are now comparatively
weak as the result OF constant fight
ing and migration"
Perhaps the most interesting and
most highly developed OF the tribes
are the Sung-panese, living in the
northern section Of tho region on the
most fertile land. These, undoubtedly.
arc OF the Aryan stock. from which
sprang most OF the European peoples.
They are as white rs you. and look
like YOU" the guide told Dr. Beech.
They never run away. They love TO
fight"
They are we'll above the European
races in average stature, most OF
them being six feet or more, and they
are stalwart and hardy. They eress
in elaborate colors. rcd. yellow and
blue being the favorites. They hold
high platcaus, cultivate the soil and
raise sheep. Despite the fact that
they live IN the mountains, they are
great hQ'semcn. bcstr!ding horses
which seem understood, possibly be-
cause Of their riders own proportions.
The horses are remarkable animals
which have acquired tho most sur
pr!slng agility in traversing the noun.
famous country.
1t is on horseback that duels are
fought by this tribe. In fighting they
use guns OF native manufacture,
stones. spears and swords.
Guns Handled by Two Men.
Most OF the guns used by the Sung
Panese. however. are so heavy that
they must be handled by two men,
said DR.. Beech. "They arc about
eight feet long. and somewhat resem-
hle our early European attempts. Two
men carry them on their shoulders,
and when they are fred one mans
body serves as carriage or rest
while the other discharges the piece
Anything-lead, iron, and other
metals--is used for bullets. The guns
are fiintloclts and matchloeks. did
not get en- opportunity TO see these
people myself, as our trip did not take
us into the confines Of this particular
tribe.
IT had an opportunity while in the
country to examine one OF the border
fortresses. It greatly rcsembled an
| old Norman castle in architecture
The walls were several feet thick. and
It completely blocked the way up q
valley leading 10 the mountains. -Four
towers. one Mt each corner OF a square
were each surmounted by remnants
and along the cliffs and from evers
pinnacle fioated other pennants.
found out later these were prayer
flags. to which the people prayet
whenever the wind made them nutter
but until I knew It the whole affail
looked as I imagine a castle mus
have looked during tournament II
the Middle Ages.
Compulsory military service Is I
feature Of their life that has evidentl!
existed for centuries. Every mar
must serve a certain time In tn
frontier guard. When he Is called h,
smoves down into the valley with hi