1938: Tibet

As the New Year came in Tibet, ancient rites were again being held in the strange religious and political struggle that has been going on there since 1933, to determine who will be absolute ruler of this mysterious land. The Dalai Lama, who was political ruler of Tibet, died in 1933; and since then the country actually has been ruled by a group of his followers called Gudras, although a regent had been appointed to take temporary charge of affairs. It was these Gudras, who, at the beginning of the year and later, were testing the truth of the claim that the Dalai Lama was reincarnated in the body of a baby boy discovered at Jyekundo by the followers of the Panchen Lama. The latter, who was spiritual head of Tibet, died on his way back to Lhasa in November 1937. He had been living in exile in China, whither he had been driven by the Dalai, since 1924. The future religious and temporal peace of Tibet will depend largely on whether the ritual tests by the lama priests favorable to the Gudras confirm the reincarnation supported by the followers of the Panchen Lama, or declare that the latter are mistaken. So far, no decision has been reached.

The regent appointed after the death of the Dalai Lama died early in August 1938, and there has been considerable turmoil since then, as the country has been left with practically no government except that of the Gudras. These supporters of the old Dalai Lama recently have been reported to be sympathetic to the Young Tibet Party, which favors the modernization of Tibet; and if the program of this group is carried through, it will probably mean a renewal of the old three-cornered struggle between Great Britain, Russia, and China for a dominant place in Tibetan affairs. The country is very rich agriculturally and is reported to contain fabulous mineral resources. Most of its trade today is carried over the ancient camel caravan routes which lead to the northern provinces of India.

Late in August, there was an army rebellion against what governmental authority remains in Tibet. This was crushed, however; but the rebel leader escaped. The real cause of the rebellion has not been made clear, but conditions seem still to be disturbed.

Late in November, the Government at Lhasa pledged its support to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek in his struggle against Japan's invasion.