Himalayan Times (1950)

' TIBET

A SPEECH DELIVERED BY MR A. J. HOPKINSON. A-T A JOINT MEETING SF
THE EAST INDIA ASSOCIATION AND THE OVERSEAS LEAGUE

^inee the year 1004, when the him if, unaccompan ed by a Chinese

Younghusband expedition established army, he presented himself at hhasa

direct contact between India and Tibet, to undergo the initiation ceremonies

relations between the two countries have preliminary to his formal installation at

been the concern of an officer bl the 'Tashi Lbunpo. 'x
Indian Political Department posted at

Sikkim, who has .been helped, since 193(5. The most illu.miJriat!ng part, of Mb,

by a British mission in Lhasa When Hopj^tNSON's lectiif>flpalt with tho present

India became independent this diplomatic condition of the Tibetan people, Practi-

machinery remained unaltered: tho politi- sing, a rural anii pastoral economy, a

cal officer tlion in Sikkim was asked population of about, am. finds u/good

to continue his functions for some time living in a country about seven tunes

under the new Government. The last the size of Great Britain. No one looks

British occupant of this important post, undernourished or ill-clad., houses are

Mr. A. J. EiOFKINSON, was therefore solid ^hd substantial. Large landholders,

able to give an authoritative first-hand who hold their estates on service tenures,

account of the present condition of Tibet still exercise considerable power; but

w hen be addressed a joint meeting ol the monk officia s, whose influence is

the East India Association and the predominant, are recruited from all so.i.d

Over-Seas League yesterday. (28;7-50.) ,j levels, the present Dalai Lama being

Tho Peking Govtrnmenf assorts thai hunseir of bumble origin. The Tsongdu,

Tibet is a province of China, to I,-- or National Assembly, has^ an important,

•'liberated" as soon as possible. MR. v""'° ln P°I|C>' «*f ^ministration; and

Hopkinson's examination of the histori- tl,e Government relijs, not upon a phy

cal facts showed elearlv *that, except sical force which it dt.es not command,

for two tdiort periods of Chinese rule, *>Ut on the cheerful acceptance ol ,U>

both brought to an ignominious end bv [directions by the people. At this moment,

successful military action on the part <when ,the emergence oi India and China

of the Tibetan people, Tibet has been into the status of great Powers has, for

independent throughout tHS> whole course tho °rst time in libets history.y_majld

of her long and peaceful, history. The hor » •"'>'' of some itrategic importance

bov candidate for the post of Pancheii flem(,"tary J"s,tic'' demands that he.

Lama—the second most important digni- happy, i.eneeful, freodom-lovmg people

Tibet—is now living in China'; .sbonld be a I owed to enjoy an indepen-

tary in 'I ibet—is now living
he has never seer. Tashi Lbunpo. th
sent of bis predecessors: be and bis

deuce that threatens nobody, 'i he best
iiance of the Tibetans achieving their

entourage are in Chinese pav, and are wish to be let alone lies in agreement

to all intents Chinoso puppets. The between Delhi and lokin^, whoso relations

Chinese claim that he represents the are close and cordial to respect the

people of 'Tibet, is completely unfounded, autonomy of a qu.et, friendly, and rcla-

alihougb they would probably accept lively macoessible c( untry.