A somewhat unexpected development has occurred in the Tibetan affair.
The Tibetans, probably hoping for Russian protection from a distance, have refused to pay even their usual nominal respect to Chinese advice. They have marked their disregard openly by refusing transport to the Chinese Resident, and recently so irritated the Viceroy of Szechuen that he requested permission from the Throne to send an army to Lhassa and reduce the great Lamas to reason. The authorities at Pekin accordingly welcome the British advance. They are aware that the Government of India neither seeks nor desires the annexation of Tibet, and hope that if Colonel Younghusband can humble the Lamas their own suzerainty will be made effective. The Chinese Resident will therefore visit Colonel Younghusband, and advance with him should he be compelled by Tibetan obstinacy or hostility to dictate terms in Lhassa. At present he awaits the action of the Lamas, who refuse all reply to his letters, collect troops at a place called Guru, and savagely punish any Tibetans who hold communication with the barbarians. Nothing is said of reinforcements for the British; but the Commissioner is diligently making roads which will render their arrival much easier, and it is just possible that the Maharajah of Nepal, who is much more independent than most of the Protected Princes, may push forward a force of his own. Neither he nor his Ghoorkas love the Lamas.
Previous page
