Operations in Tibet

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 20, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 16.

Operations in Tibet

Operations in Tibet.—The British expedition which has been advancing toward the capital of Tibet, encountered a large force of Tibetans on March 31, who had built a wall across the road. The British advanced to clear the road, and, during the parley, the Tibetans opened fire. They were in a compact mass, and the return fire of the British and Indian riflemen was fearfully destructive. About one-half of the 1,500 Tibetans were either killed or wounded. After the first encounter, the Tibetans turned, and marched sullenly toward the rear, while the British artillery wrought havoc in their ranks. The expedition will now push on toward the capital, Lhasa, which has so long been barred to all foreigners. There is much comment in the European press over the work of the British in Tibet. It has been known that the expedition has been advancing in the face of Russia's disapproval; that Russia had incited the Tibetans to oppose the advance; and that she had supplied them with arms and ammunition. Rifles bearing the Russian imperial stamp were found at the scene of the encounter. At the present time, however, the Russian press discusses the incident in a very calm manner. The outcome of the expedition will probably be the declaring a British protectorate over Tibet. It is even rumored that Russia will permit this, because of an understanding to the effect that England will give her a free hand in Manchuria.