Against a background of international intrigue and ambition, the hoped-for return to Tashi Lumpo is important. Not since the fall of the Manchu Dynasty in 1911 has control over Tibet by China been effective. The natural reluctance of the Tibetans to give up their at least nominal independence under the Manchus to enter the newly formed Republic of China was heightened by pressure from India. By 1920 two distinct parties had been formed, one, headed by the Dalai Lama, advocating complete independence from China and better relations with British India, and the other, under the leadership of the Panchen Lama, favouring adherence to China.

Being in the ascendancy, the Dalai Lama was able consistently to harry his colleague until, late in 1923, the Panchen Lama secretly fled from Tibet to Mongolia.

Since his first arrival in Peking on February 22, 1925, the pontiff has moved slowly from place to place in North and Eastern China, waiting for his chance to return. For some time he resided on P'u T'u Shan, near Ningpo, and again he visited Wu T'ai Shan, in Northern Shansi. At both places he occupied his time with studying Buddhism. Between times he preached and instructed both Mongols and Chinese in Lamaism.

During the last five years the Panchen Lama has resided mainlv in Mongolia. Always a highly honoured guest and welcomed everywhere by the Mongols, lama and layman alike, he visited one monastery after another, devoting his time to constructive work among the nomads. Last autumn he was invited by the Nanking Government to act as mediator at a congress of Mongol Princes who were agitating for autonomy. He stayed on at Pei-ling Miao for some time after the meeting closed, until news of the Dalai Lama's death brought him to Nanking to confer with Government officials.

His Serenity reached Peking early in Jarniary. After a brief stay in the old capital, he and his party continued to Nanking, from where, after meeting the nation's leaders, they proceeded to Hangchow. A gigantic and colourful memorial service was held in Ling Yin Temple for the late Dalai Lama. Visitors from Slianghai thronged to see the event, which was extremely spectacular. When the service closed on May 22, after lasting two weeks, the party came to Shanghai.

During the ensuing five weeks the activities of the Panchen Lama were strenuous and varied. Reception followed reception, with foreigners and Chinese alike vying for an opportunity to entertain him. During his stay he was entertained by Sir Ellis Kadoorie and many Govern. ment and social leaders. While in the city he manifested great interest in the modern development of Shanghai, and on numerous occasions he visited large industrial plants and spoke at several universities. A British man-of-war was also honoured by a visit from the lama, and when lie went aboard the Lloyd Triestino liner Co~te R0880 he showed con-siderable interest in the advancement of modern commercial transportation.

Too much activity, however, brought on indisposition which caused him to cancel all engagements for fortnight. He left his temporary "palace" a~ the Shanghai office of the Foreign Ministry and went into seclusion until June 26. Then he began a series of farewell calls that lasted until his departure for Nanking on the evening of June 30. In the interim he also had new glasses made, but only after a new eye chart in Tibetan had been devised for him.

The first three days of the ecolesiast's time in Nanking were devoted to praying for rain to relieve the farmers in and around the capital. The supplications were successful, for sufficient rain fell to save a good percentage of the endangered crops. Encouraged by this success, the Panchen Lama announced that after a brief pause he would repeat his supplications.

During the interval in Shanghai the pontiff was joined by a delegation of lamas from Tibet, sent to urge the Panchen Lama's early return to Tashi Lnmpo. This fact was made much of by those favouring an early return of the leader to his homeland. Included in the delegation were the Anchin Lama, the Tingehi Lama, the Tuanhu Lama and the Kehehen Lama, the first of whom was declared to be the Panehen Lama's "right hand man." The newcomers joined the already considerable party journeying with the leader.

Despite earlier word that he would spend the remainder of the summer m Nanking, he departed for Peking on July 14. The trip was made in a special 'plane furnished by the Eurasia Aviation Corporation. It was the Panchen Lama's first long flight, although he had been up for shorter flights on several previous occasions. The rest of the party made the trip by train. Peking welcomed him enthusiastically, and expressed regret that he would be in its midst for so short a time. The period in the old capital was stretched out to nearly a month, however, when floods in Chahar swept away part of the Peiping- Suiyuan Railway, over which the group had to travel. It was August 11 before the de-parture for Kuei-hua Ch'eng was finally made in a gaily decorated special train.

The presence of the pontiff had at least one interesting repercussion in Peking. The numerous gaily dressed Mongols and Tibetans stalking through the streets inspired one jeweller to design a new "tiara" or "halo " in Mongol colouring, and the result, as seen on the Peking Hotel roof, was declared to be strIking.

The special train for the party consisted of fourteen coaches. Four were used for the transportation of the personal effects of the Panchen Lama and his staff, two for food supplies, and several others for motorcars and 'buses. Two "White" Russian drivers also accompanied the party to Kuei-hua. After two days in the capital of Suiyuan, the party of more than three hundred persons departed for Pao-tou Chen, the western terminus of the railway.

Plans for the future are uncertain and reports are conflicting. The pontiff will probably make his way slowly through the Ordos toward Kokonor, preaching to his followers along the way. At Hsi-ning, he will probably wait until definite word is received from Lhassa relative to his reception in the Tibetan capital. Rumours were that he might pay another visit to Nanking before his final departure. In the meanwhile the delegation headed by the Anchin Lama is getting ready to return to Tibet by way of India to prepare for the leader's coming.

At the same time that the Panchen Lama has been traveUing about China the first Chinese Commissioner to Lhassa in twenty~four years has been making his way to the capital overland from Ta-tsien-lu, on the Szechuan-Tibetan border. Although General Huang Mu-song is ostensibly visiting Lhassa only to act as the Nanking Government's representative at the funeral of the Dalai Lama, his secondary purpose of opening negotiations for the recognition of Chinese sovereignty is so universally recognized that comparatively few know of his official reason for making the trip. General Huang is described by all as being an extremely happy choice for the position, having considerable diplomatic experience in the capitals of the world.

In Lhassa itself, events are moving with true Oriental obscurity. General Lung Shar, former Commander-in-Chief of the Tibetan Army, is reported as having been either executed or murdered some months ago for aspiring to control the Roof of the World." Meanwhile, the head lama of Reting Monastery, two days north of Lhassa, has been ruling the country, pending the finding of the new reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. On his discovery and confirmation, the Reting Lama will act as regent until the new Dalai Lama reaches eighteen years of age. Fear that the new Chinese Amban, General Huang, will try to usurp the position of regent is said to be haunting the pro-British party of Tibetan leaders. A recent report is to the effect that a new incarnation of the Dalai Lama has been found and taken to Lhassa. If this be the case, it would appear to be the death knell of the Panchen Lama's hopes of returning to Tibet, but so far there is no confirmation of the report.