DANGER ZONES: The Strategy of Fireworks

In India last week, an official of the Dalai Lama's court described the bloodless conquest of Tibet by the Chinese Communists. His story could be read as a sort of parable of how Communism vanquishes the isolated, the timid and the unwary.

Early last October 3,000 mountaineer soldiers, well-equipped by Tibetan standards with castoff British battle gear, held the vital frontier fortress of Chamdo, 370 miles east of Tibet's capital, Lhasa. They were preparing for an orthodox daylight attack by the invading Red Chinese.

The Chinese didn't play that way. Shortly after midnight on Oct. 19, the sleeping garrison of Chamdo was...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!