Fighting in Thibet.

Manawatu Herald, 7 April 1904, Page 2

Fighting in Thibet.

BRITISH FORCE ATTACKED. News from Thibet states that, though the Sikhs surrounded the Thibetans at Hot Springs on Thursday, a collision was not expected. The officers dismounted and commenced lunching and photographing. The Thibetan General, whose behaviour at an interview with Colonel Younghusband indicated a determination to die or turn the mission back, deliberately precipitated a conflict.

Only the promptness and skill of Colonel MacDonald and a lew officers with revolvers stopped the first desperate rush. Even when broken, the Thibetans disdained to run, but tramped sullenly and steadily away, though a mountain battery, Maxims and magazine rifles poured a bail of bullets into them. The affray lasted ten minutes. All the Thibetan General’s escort perished, also five high Lhassan officials. The Thibetans outnumbered the Sikhs by eight to one. The swordsmen were unable to reach the Sikhs owing to the latters* bayonets. The Chinese Amban at Lhassa has written to Colonel Youngbusband stating 1 that he wished to meet him earlier, but the Dalai Lhama refused. him a transport. He intends coming to Gyangtse. The reconnaissance revealed a strong Thibetan position at Many Wells, six miles east of Hot Springs, on an alternative route to Lhassa. The camp must have contained two thousand men, but it was abandoned in great haste. Colonel Younghusband visited the Thibetans wounded in the recent fight and informed them hie mission was still peaceful. He oply desired to treat with Thibet, and promised that all the wounded would be released when cured. The Bhutanese are most friendly, and ard cordially receiving the British survey party, Villagers report that QO further

opposition was offered before Gyangtse was reached. The Chinese Amban being unable to obtain transport at Gyangtse requests the mission to retire to Yagtung, though privately he admits the Thibetans are wholly wrong. FURTHER RESISTANCE. A Chinese report states that the Thibetans intend fighting the British mission at Khamga, where they have a force of 7000 infantry and 500 cavalry with mailed horses. Dorijioff has been appointed master of ordnance and treasurer to the Dalai Lama.

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