We have all been a little too pessimistic about the
Tibetan Expedition. There was grave doubt in the minds of all who understood the position whether the Lamas would ever sign a Treaty, or, indeed, do anything except wait indefinitely for the return of the Dalai Lama. Colonel Younghusband is, however, a most able man. He secured the adhesion of the Amban, or Chinese Resident, and with his aid obtained the signature of his Treaty. It was signed on the 7th inst. in the decayed Audience Hall of the Potala, or Palace-Monastery, by the Regent, the Amban, the four Councillors, and the Abbots of the three greatest monasteries; and as soon as the ratification has been received from Pekin the British troops will return. This ratification is not indispensable, but is expedient, as it is evident that the Lamas have informally deposed the Dalai Lama, who has fled to Mongolia, and that the suzerainty of China, which that potentate had virtually shaken off, is again acknowledged at Lhasa. The scene was a most striking one, the great hall, which is lighted from above, being filled with British officers and Lamas, the latter in rather inexplicable good humour. They evidently had invited the Mission to enter the Potala, which had been studiously respected. It is quite possible that they have felt the despotism of their chief—which, we may remark, is new, the supreme Lama having previously always been a child who passed away before reaching maturity—as a heavy tyranny, and are relieved by the revolution which the British victory has enabled them to bring about.
Previous page
