REVOLT IN TIBET

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28774, 20 December 1958, Page 11

REVOLT IN TIBET

Pressure On Dalai Lama

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright • LONDON, December 18

Lhasa was alarmed at new pressure on the Dalai Lama by Chinese demands for action to curb Tibetan rebels, "The Times” reported today. It was feared that the Chinese might use the Dalai Lama's failure or unwillingness to suppress the revolt as a pretext for stripping him of his remaining powers as temporal head of Tibet. At present only a fragile constitutional agreement existed between him and the Chinese. A widespread and dramatic revival of guerrilla activity by the Khamba rebels this year was reported to be the cause of the renewed Chinese pressure. "The Times” said the Khambas flocked to Lhasa peacefully, presumably to seek counsel with the Dalai Lama, towards whom they professed a fanatical devotion. But at some time during their stay the Khambas abruptly scattered into districts surrounding Lhasa to set up nests of resistance over an extensive area

With this move they had brought for the first time the guerrilla warfare deep into central Tibet, over which the Dalai Lama was designated by the Chinese as “Chairman of the Tibetan Autonomous Region.”

In doing so they had given the Chinese for the first time the pretext of formally summoning the Dalai Lama to exert his authority to put down the rising. A Tibetan delegation was sent in vain to call on the rebels to lay down their arms. So the Chinese demanded that the Dalai Lama sends his ceremonial army against them.

His reply was that they were inadequate and would probably go over to the rebels anyway. “The Times” said. But the Chinese had refused to accept this and were at present implacably maintaining their demand for action.

The rebels, though short of ammunition, were living quite well off the land, paying for their provisions in prqmisory notes redeemable in Lhasa "when Tibet is free.”