Smyrna times., 1932-11-09
BANTANG UNDER
SEIGE OF TIBET
Border City, Far Up Yangtze
River, Seen of Hard
Fighting
AMERICAN MISSIONARIES

with both Tibetan attackers and
Chinese defenders occupying build
ings of American missionaries. A
bulletin from the National Geo
graphic society tells of Batang and
the surrounding country.
"The border region" says the
bulletin, lis a country of noun
tains. Batang, the chief city, is
one Of the lowest points, and yet
its altitude is 5000 feet above sea
level, nearly four-fifths Of a mile
higher than Denver.
''Most of the surrounding coun-
try is 1900 to $4,000 feet high,
the latter altitude being more than
500 feet higher than Mount Whit
ney, California, highest peak in the
United States proper. From this
great upland rise numerous peaks
10000 feet and more in height.
''The view from the SUBMITS Of
some Of the passes that must be
traversed in travelling about this
marveliously rugged country can
hardly be surpassed anywhere In
the world. The panorama for hun
dreds Of miles on a clear day is
one of countless high peaks inter
spersed with greater snowy masses
that exceed in height the topmost
pinnacles Of all other continents
Some Fine Forests.
"Below timber line are some fine
forests, and the Alpinelike flowers
of the short summer are exceeding
ly beautiful. Here and there
among the mountains are clear,
sparkling lakes, their waters so
cold that in most of them fish can
not live.
"Kham, the easternmost province
of Tibet, gives its color to the en-
tire border region, and its people
are said to be the most robust Of
all Tibetans. Many Of the people
of Khan are nomads, who tend
their flocks Of sheep and yak as
they Craze over the uplands, and
live In black yak-hair tents. other
more settled people live in mud
walled houses and engage in a
crude sort Of farming in the val
leys where the altitude is low
enough for grain to mature.
'aThe nomads live the year round
In their tents, seldom even entering
a house. When the lower slopes Of
the mountains become free from
snow in the spring, they begin their
upward pilgrimage with their herds,
closely following the receding snow
line, until in summer they are liv-
ing far up in the highlands and on
the sides of the peaks.
EWhen winter begins to set in
they make the reverse journey. 60
ing down to the valleys only as
fast as the descending snow line
drives them. In this way they are
able to utilize the supply of grass
to best advantage.
''The herders remain close to the
snow also because their yak thrive
best in a cold temperature and can
not, In fact. stand any great de-
gree of heat. especially if intro
duced into the warmer tempera-
fure suddenly.
Too Low for Yaks.
$50 carefully must the yak's
prediction FOR cold be INDUCED
that traders bringing supplies in
summer from the high country to
Batang will not drive their animals
into the town. They unload ten
miles from their supposed destina-
tion. at a point about $1,000 feet
in altitude. and the Batang con
signees must provide transportation
for the remainder of the distance
to the 9,OO0-foot level.
aThe towns Of Tibet are in most
cases small groups of dwelling
houses and a few shops in valleys
ar the foot Of steps and winding
paths leading to some monastery
that towers above on the steep
mountainside. Batang differs from
the typical town in having much
larger group Of houses and in be-
ing surrounded by an extensive
area of terraced fields. A huge mon
astery for lamas was above the
town at one time. but was destroyed
by the Chinese during one of their
invasions. Batang derives most of
its Importance from the trade
route between China and Tibet,
which passes through the place.
4sThe eastern Tibetans live on
queer foods from an American
point of view. One staple Is
parched barley meal, called 'tsam-
ba.' Another is butter tea First
strong tea IS made, and into IT is
churned yak butter and salt. A
third food is dried milk. Many
tribesmen eat practically no other
foods the year around.
"Most Of the married women
among the eastern Tibetans have
number Of husbands Simultaneous
iy. They usually marry three or
four brothers. One husband will
take care of the home In the val
ley. II there is one; another will
Ne s. rye Of the yak or sheep in