The news from Tibet is both meagre and disquieting. Telegrams
from Gyangtse make it clear that in view of the constantly increasing forces of the Tibetans—now estimated at eight thousand, or eight to one—and the strength of their
positions, the garrison of the Mission camp is compelled to remain on the defensive. On the 19th the British force made a successful sortie, and stormed a house occupied by the enemy only six hundred yards from the camp. The increased aggressiveness of the Tibetans is attributed to the impotence and incapacity of the Chinese,—the Teshu Lama is said to have ranged himself definitely against us. It is, in short, only too evident that until considerable reinforcements are pushed up the British force must be content at best with marking time. The necessity for our advance to Lhasa increaseo with the difficulties which confront us.
