March 31, 1959
TIBET: London, 27 – According to sources on the Indian border, the Chinese military are expected to boost their forces in Tibet. There have been conflicting reports as to whether the Dalai Lama escaped to southern Tibet with some 20 of his closest associates. It is said that battles are continuing in several regions. The Chinese have given assurances that they will not harm the Dalai Lama but will punish his advisers severely. According to reliable estimates, more than 2,000 Tibetans have been killed during the past three days of the uprising. PANCHEN LAMA: Tokyo, 28 – Communist China today announced that it had abolished the government of Tibet and installed a new regime headed by the pro-Communist Panchen Lama, rival of the Dalai Lama. Peking radio acknowledged for the first time today that there is a revolution in Tibet and announced the dissolution of the Dalai Lama’s government. Peking claims the Dalai Lama was forced to flee from Lhasa. Chinese Premier Chou En-lai said the Panchen Lama would be vice president of a council for the Autonomous Region of Tibet and would take orders from Peking.
