The expedition to Lhasa is rapidly developing into a war.
The Tibetans on the 7th inst. made a daring attempt to cut our communications by an attack on the post at Kangma., but were repulsed with a loss of one hundred and sixteen killed, and probably twice that number wounded. The march on Lhasa will commence, it is stated, on June 26th, by' which time the reinforcements will have arrived ; and the expedi- tion will consist of four thousand two hundred soldiers, in- cluding five hundred Europeans, and an adequate force of artillery. The evidence as to the defensive strength of the enemy is still imperfect, and there is no confirmation of the reported arrival of cavalry; but it is probable that Lhasa will be desperately defended. Our readers should note the state- ment, which is true, that the ruling men in Bhutan have paid a visit of ceremony to Colonel Younghusband to congratulate him on his Mission. This is most important, not only because the Bhutanese control the easiest passes between Bengal and Tibet, but because they are Lamaists who clearly prefer political advantages to the religious advantages which might be acquired by assisting their spiritual head. We fancy that the rule of the Lamas has been directed very much to their own profit, especially during the period when the Dalai Lama was always a child.
