MODERN TENDENCIES IN TIBET [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sin,—Since writing the article on Tibet which appeared in your issue of August 28th, I have received further information from an authoritative source which indicates how difficult it is to obtain accurate accounts of what is really going on in that country ; and how what appears at first to be real news may turn out in the end to be "bazaar gossip."
The stories of the deposition and assassination of the Tsarong Shape (Commander-in-Chief of the Tibetan Army), and of the murder of the Tibetan engineer Ringang (or Rinchengang) were narrated to me with much circumstantial detail by two Tibetans, and supported by a correspondent who should have been in a position to know.
Now, it seems, the Tsarong Shape was actually removed from his post as Commander-in-Chief, as he washeld responsible for the delinquencies of some of the other military officers. He is, however, still one of the four Shapes, or Ministers of State. Furthermore, it is stated that the new army has not been disbanded.
As regards the electrical Machinery, it is denied that this was destroyed ; much difficulty was encountered in getting the heavierparts over the passes, but some of it has now reached Lhasa. According to news from Ringang, from Lhasa, last July, work on the power-house is proceeding.
This is good news to me, who have nothing but pleasant memories of Tibet and the Tibetans, and it gives me much satisfaction to be able to make this correction of information which I had every reason to believe was accurate.—I am, Sir EDWARD DE VORXE.
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