Untitled

Evening Star, Issue 14307, 4 March 1910, Page 4

Thk scraps of news that are coming over llio cable telling of (lie China ant! llight of the Dalai Lama Tib3t. from Lhasa, his pursuit

by the Chinese, his arrival at Darjecling, and his reception by llio Buddlusis, though interesting, are as they stand confusing and meaningless. So far as the. outside world knew, theie was no thought of ccming trouble, and that this eustonvny apathy towards ■events and peoples out of the beaten track of the world's ken prevailed in relation to Tibet is shown in the fact that the public were referred back to a London "Times' message- of .January 14 last to obtain a clue. From this it was gathered that there was constant friction between the Tibet and iho Chinese authorities, and Ihat it had led to violent outbreaks and angry remonstrances, but it was not clear with whom the blame rolled. A subsequent message, received i<y way of Sydney, threw some light upon llio crisis, in that it affirmed that the Dalai Lama, had been acting on independent lines ; that he had .negotiated agreements with the Western Powers without consulting his suzerain authority. China; and that his policy was actuated by resentment of alleged Chinese designs to convert a.nd reduce Tibet to the level of a province. WiUi these facts (if facts they be) to guido us, it is qiossiblo to secure a consistent story, which, with a resume of tho more or less familiar history of the past few years, should suffice to give us an intelligent appreciation of the present situation. The relationship hitherto existing between China and' Tibet is not unlike- that which existed between Great Britain and the Doer Republics immediately prior to the issue of Mr Kruger's ultimatum in October, 3899. China,"like Great Dritain, is nominally I he suzerain Power, and China, through negligence, remoteness, and the independent spirit of the Dalai Lama, has had little, if any, greater authority in the government of Tibet than had Great Dritain in that of the Transvaal. Owing, however, to the Dalai Lama's gross breaches of treaty engagements, Lord Cur/on (who was then Viceroy of India) sent Colonel YounghiLsb'tiid's 'famous punitive mission to Lhasa in 1203. That mission, on its military side, was a distinct success, and a feat of nra.s that reflected credit on the British officers and troops, but its diplomatic results were frittered away owing to tho Homo Government failing to support their envoy as it was contended they should havo done. In view of (ho fact that the Dalai Lama has now claimed the protection of his old enemy, tho British, it is interesting to recall that on the eve of Colonel Younghusband's unfriendly visit tho Dalai Lama also took flight, only on that occasion ho sought security on the Russian border, and stayed there until tho clouds had passed. A period of intrigue, negotiation, and patching up followed, tho net outcome of which wrus that tho Dalai Lama made a journey to Pekin, attended by a small army of monks. Arrived at the Chinese capital, His Sublimity duly made his peaco with tho Son of Heaven," and aftei wards started on his lclurn journey. It is not out of place to remark here that the combination of supremo spiritual and partial temporal powers in one person will prove the most formidable factor in tho way of a peaceful settlement. Such a combination, from the Western standpoint, is as dangerous as it as impolitic, and the more enlightened nations simply would not tolerate it. Statesmen and others, however, have to deal with I acts as they are, and not greatly to worry over their why and wherefore. And tho outstanding fact of tho present situation is that tho Dalai Lama is, in-the opinion of millions of adoring human beings, not only the head of the temporal doverriinent of Tibet, but " a Living Buddha, who has become perpetually reincarnate on earth in order to preside over bis church, and whose spirit passes on from tho body of one Grand Lama to that of another' in a continuous

succession of lives, of which each new hiorarch is but a fresh link in an endless chain of ;;n earthly priest-kingship." To. argue- against, this belief would he a waste of time. China and Russia, to whom, of course, '.ho duality is familiar, and Great Britain have to take tho situation ns I hoy find it, and to make the best of it. The present Dalai Lama, may be "it little man pitted with smallpox," but he is also, as Lord Morley reminded the House of Lords, "a spiritual ruler who is venerated by many millions of Indians." From tho European standpoint it is extremely awkward that " the highest-born messenger from tho Gya-noni paradise" should ho hardly moro'lhau a petty intriguer, a perron whose pledges are worthless, and one who takes to his heels the moment ho is brought to book, whether by Great Britain or China. China, as-'the suzerain Power, means business. She lias really roused herself from her sleep of centuries, and intends to rule in fact as well as in name. An edict has been issued deposing the Dalai Lama, which, for tho reasons wo liavo stated, may prove an act fraught with gravo results, and fresh troops and more guns have been sent to Lhasa Meantime,, tho millions of simple fanatics who prostrate themselves in passionate abandon before tho reincarnation of the Living Buddha ire demanding his return to Lhasa, :.nd the withdrawal of all Chinese troops, while the Government of India are in the unenviable position of not knowing wlnt to do with him. He left Lhasa, so Lord Minto advises, against the advice of his Council and tho National Assembly, and in doing so he has, apparently, shorn himself of all claims to he regarded as tho victim of evildoers. Apart from his spiritual prerogatives and claims, we aro inclined to think that the powers that be will make short woik of this very trouhleso'iio personage.