RUSSIANS IN TIBET

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 71, Issue 37, 23 November 1950, Page 5

RUSSIANS IN TIBET

SURVEY ACTIVITIES REPORTED SITES CHOSEN FOR AIR BASES 1N.7.. P. A.-Copy right) (Rec. 8.30) NEW YORK, Nov. 22. Intelligence reports have revealed that two Russian parties thoroughly surveyed large areas of Western Tibet in April, May, and -June and chose sites for air bases 1 to be used as an eventual threat against India and adjacent countries, says Robert Trumbull, New Delhi correepondent of the “New York Times," in an article published to-day. The article adds: “The principal \base would be on the great flat plain between Lake Manasarowar and Lake Rakas, in Western Tibet, about 300 miles north of New Delhi, and just across the border where Tibet adjoins the Indian State of Uttar Pradesh.

“The Russian plan obtained by extraordinary intelligence work, the details of which cannot be revealed — envisages full development of the tremendous natural resources and exceptionally favourable terrain in the Tibetan area designated. “The base between the lakes would be the spearpoint of a well-developed Russian plot to extend in time Soviet domination from the present outskirts in Central Asia down through India and Pakistan, so that eventually the Soviet sphere of influence would reach the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean,” says Trumbull. Himalayas No Protection “Personal observations of travellers at tlje scene of the Russian surveys in Western Tibet have established a grave error in the popular belief that India is protected from attack by the icy barrier of the Himalayas. Non-Communist intelligence now possesses information long known in Moscow —that aeroplanes can fly down through the numerous wide passes and low broad river gorges without going to any great height. “Determined foot troops—correctly equipped at no important difficulty or cos t _ would have convenient land routes, and some of the passes could be negotiated by vehicles.” Trumbull says that two Russian expeditions apparently arrived in Western Tibet by planes that landed them and their equipment on Lake Manasarowar. . 1 “The first Russian party, whicii arrived in April, consisted of two scientists or technicians of Mongol ian appearance, a Tibetan wireless operator, and a local Communist guide. This was a geological survey party, pretending to be pilgrims to holy places in Tibet. Instruments in Buddlias “A wireless sending set was concealed in a large gi’ass Buddha which was ostensibly to be presented to a Tibetan monastery. 1 Messages were sent nightly from inside a yak-hair tent, except once when an important discovery of radioactive material was made. Another large Buddha apparently carried a geiger counter, which one day buzzed with great stridency. The yak carrying the Buddha Avas guided several miles in different directions, and the 'buzzing was almost continuous. “The excited scientists immediately rigged a radio. They dug numerous rock samples which were quickly slipped into small statues of Buddha with which one yak wa s loaded. “The second survey party took over in the middle of May. It consisted of two Russians of Mongolian features, and the same Tibetan radio operator and guide. “In this equipment was an advanced surveying instrument described as a photo-theodolite, which automatically records the topography on a film. This party surveyed the two lakes and adjacent flat areas, gathering data on meteorological conditions, food resources, and so on. “It is - considered virtually certain that at least a dozen other groups have been carrying on similar and related work over this .whole vast strategic area.” Military Plans Trumbull says that details of Russian long-range plans for Western Tibet, obtained by informants from “unique inside sources on the scene,” include the direction of military operations from a lake base by a headquarters in Khotan, Soviet Tukestan. By the use of Mongol troops the whole initial activity would be ostensibly a project by the Chinese Government, whose forces have advanced into Tibet. The development would be made to appear along the lines of the present Soviet control of China’s Sinkiang Province. The Soviet study of strategic Western Tibet is known to go back at least three years, says Trumbull. It is certain, in the light of this and other evidence, that when the Chinese Communist troops consolidate Tibet under the Peiping regime, the next step in Moscow’s broad plan for the extension of world Communism into Southern Asia will have been well advanced.