The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-02
Dr. McGovern An Attraction
 Of Lent


 Dr. William Montgomery McGovern will be one of the "star" attractions of eprly Lent, appearing here at Phillips High school on Monday evening, March < 10, under the auspices of the Axis club. Dr. McGoyern's subject is ITO Lhasa in Dissuise.' ...
 Following the British military expedi- tion to Lhasa in 1904, it was thought that the exclusiveness of the Sacred Eity of the Buddhas had been dissi- ! pated. But with the withdrawal of , the British troops on the approach of the dreaded yTibetan winter, the pail A6f mystery again enveloped that strange Hand. Several adventurous spirits en- fleavored to penetrate to the heart of fhe country but invariably they were hustled without the frontiers before They had caught glimpse of the fa- 2 Atoiis Potala. and meagre indeed was the Information to be added to the Sparse details already known. In these Hays, Dr. McGovern, a mere infant. was s1mbibing knowledge of the oriental. At falf early age he was brought in close sontact with Chinese and Japanese, and later studied in the Land of the Ris- ing Sun, where he was ordained priest af the Nishi Hongwanji, Kyoto, in rec ignition of ,.his work on Mahayana Buddhism. About this time he visited China and penetrated deeply into Mon golia, n land in which he takes a great interest. Later be attempted to pene- frate to Lllasa by way of the province be U from China, but failed.
 Since that failure and during all the while he was at Oxford and featuring on Chinese and Japanese at the Univer- sity of London, the idea of reaching Lhasa prevailed While he had no mo- ton how or when the chance would come, he set about preparing himself Tor the renewed attempt, by application ta the study of the Tibetan language, customs and Religious beliefs and rights In 1922. the great opportunity pre- scnted itself. cDr. McGovern was asked to join the British Buddhist mission to Tibet as co-leader and adviser. The party reached Gyangtse in Central South Tibet and was here held up for several months, during which period Ur. sMcGovern. busied himself with Ti- betaR, ofttimes going native" to ob- serve the people and their habits and customs better. When this mission WAS refused permission to proceed fur ther and had to return, to Darjeeling, the doctor decided on his solo trip in disguise in, an effort to reach Lhasa.
 Travelling over the terrible pass-coun- try (which divided Sikkim from Tibet, he encountered the full blast of the winter snowstorms and he and his party all but succumbed to privations and cold Of six pack mules and riding ponies, five died as a result of that aw- tsssra pr,k% T ' i'll and half dead.
 In Lhasa he made friends with Tsa- rong. the military leader of Tibet, and the Dalai Lana's right hand, saw and spoke with the Dalai Lama himself. and Vas, visited and interviewed by the ebief magistrate. priests and business men of the Sacred City
 The experience is quite unique and will remain unique for, as a result of Dr. McGovern's entry into Lhasa in disguise, after being sought for all over the land by -emissaries and officials of the government. Tibet's exclusiveness is | g now guarded more vigorously than ever. HOaIES-RILEY
 WEDDING SOLEMNIZED
 A pretty wedding took place Tues day evening at s 80 o'clock at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Glover on Six teenth avenue, south. when Miss Mary COrnelia Riley was united in marriage to MT. William Moor Homes with Dr. ', B. Meacham officiating.
 The bride was attractive in suit of moss color with gray accessories and her flowers were pink roses and valley lilies
 Miss Mabel Reeves was the maid of honor, wearing tan dress with an arm bouquet of sweet peas.
 Mir. Ross Roberts attended the groom ns best man.
 Immediately after the ceremony an informal reception was held. after which Mir. and Mrs. Homes left for New Orleans to attend Mardi Gras.
 Among the 'out-of-town guests were Mir. and Mrs. W. c. Lumpkin of Tus- kegee and Mr. and Mrs. E. l.. Vasser of Selma