THE TIBETAN MISSION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 96, 22 April 1904, Page 5

THE TIBETAN MISSION.

A Shocking Discovery. LONDON, April 21. The British mission destroyed the towers on the gate of the Gyangtse fort. They found scores of human heads freshly severed in a room in the fort. INTERESTING FACTS. INTERVIEW WITH MR B. AITKEN. At the present time, when the mission under Colonel Younghusband is steadily forcing its way towards the city of the Lamas on the "roof of the world," any information from one who has been in Tibet is naturally of" interest. For this reason, when the fact became known that amongst the vistors who arrived here on Monday was Mr. Benjamin Aitken, late editor of the "Indian Daily Telegraph," Lucknow, that gentleman was waited upon by a representative of the "AuckI Land Star." As pressmen dislike being interviewed, it speaks well for Mr. Aitjken. courtesy that he consented to unjdergo the ordeal. "But," said he, "you ; must tell mc what will be of local interjest here, as, although I have been twice | round the world, this is my first visit to i New Zealand. I have come over specially ito view the scenery, and also to see the | Maoris." ! '"Well," said the interviewer, "Tibet is jof special interest just now owing to Colonel Younghusband . mission." '"I can tell you a little that may be of interest, because I have been at Yatowen, which is seven miles beyond the point where the Chinese and Tibetan guards were then stationed to prevent visitors penetrating into the country. Colonel Yonnghusband's mission is now,' however, 100 miles beyond that point. Of course they had tc get there by force. ""I see it is described as a very rough journey ?" "Where I got to meant crossing the Jeylap Pass- By the way, some call it i the Jeylepla Pass, but that is wrong, as I "la" is Tibetian for "pass." I went over I that pass in 1898, which is 14,500 ft : above the sea level. I saw the stone ! barriers built 10 years ago to stop the j progress of a previous mission. It will give you some idea as to how the people of Tibet can work when properly | directed, when I tell you that a stone barrier nearly two miles long and three feet in height was built in one night by 11.000 Tibetians. When the British turned their flank, the Tibetians ran away for over five miles and built another wall at Gnatong. That is their idea of fighting—to build a barrier, and if the flank is turned, fall back and erect another one." A lot of people wonder why the mission was sent to such a place. T-.<>~e was no otbg,. course t 0 a dopt. I s»> the treaty signed in 1395 in the Government House, Calcutta, but almost immediately afterwards the Tibetians broke the treaty, and when our Governent remonstrated, the people of Tibet either sent back an insolent answer or declined to reply at all. Our Governmont tried pacific measures without success, offered to meet representatives from Tibet on the Indian side of the Barrier, but they kept the mission waiting nine months. Now they have attacked the British Mission three times, and no doubt an interview will be forced. The people of Tibet are born traders—if they are allowed to trade—but while they come over to fairs in India to sell goods they are not allowed to purchase anything to bring back with them. If this restriction were removed the people of Tibet would respond quickly enough. There is a fair each year in British India at a place called Kalimpoong. It is far up in the hills, and a large number of people come over from Tibet to trade with what we call "jungle produce," but they are Inveterate teadrinkers we cannot sell to them. Will the supplies for the mission have to go over that pass? Undoubtedly, until they reach the plateau everything will have to be taken over by mules. At one point you have to climb up 3000 feet, and then climb down again to cross a river, before rising again 9000 feet. That has to be done on one march to rise 6000 feet, and took us nine days. The road is a bit better now, having been made by the mission, but formerly it was only a goat track. The Tibetans I saw were fine muscular fellows. They make a kind of cheese, which they chew, and which serves the same purpose as biltong to a Boer. Notwithstanding their curious customs. the Tibetans are strong, hardy, large men.