New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-09-21
TIE DISPUTE OYER r1REr.

The expected has happened in regard TO Tibet.
Russia has protested against the British treaty
with that country. It was a foregone conclu-
sion that she would do so, on some ground.
The ground now alleged seems plausible, as
stated by Russia. It Is that Great Britain has
broken her promise not to interfere with Tib-
etan independence, by establishing virtual pro-
tectorate over that country. The British reply
will probably be that no such protectorate has
been established, and that anyway whatever
promise England may have made was condi-
uonal and not absolute. OF these things we
shall have more certain knowledge when the
official documents in the case are revealed to
the world. For the present It is dispute which
concerns us in only an academic way. and
which we can afford 20 regard phiIosophically
1t is unpleasant, Of course TO see one OF our
international friends imputing bad faith TO an
other. But then that has been done many times
before without any breaking Of bones. France
once looked askant at England IN Egypt, but IS
now fully reconciled to that arr angement II
memory does not play us false, there were once
some pretty bald charges Of shifty faith in con-
nection with Russa's conquest of Khiva and
Merry.
There is something so picturesque, solemn and
impressive in the very idea of signing treaty
in the Potala that we must hope the instrument
ting. 1t is understood that it opens Tibet to
a certain freedom of trade which is we'll II
1t also provides for the establishment OF a
British envoy at Lhasa, we cannot see that
1t Is therefore tniquitOus. The day Of hermit
nations is past. 1t will be as proper 10 omen
Tibet TO diplomatic and other relations as IT
was half century ago TO open Japan. Whether
or not Great Britain has secured any special
privileges and exclusive political influence re-
mains to be seen. The one thing which seems
reasonably certain IS that through this British
mission Chinese influence has been reasserted
and strengthened in Tibet. That was expect-
ed since the British expedition went into Tibet
with China's permission and almost at her re-
quest Nor is exception to be taken to such
assertion Of Chinese authority, seeing that Tibet
is an integral part Of the Chinese Empire and
has been since the days Of Kublai Khan, and
that China has as good right to exert her SOW
erelgny over 1t as Russia, for example, has
TO assert hers over the land OF the Tekke Tur-
comahs' or over BOkhara. It is really China's
business, primarily. what Great Britain does in
Tibet and il China is satisfied it Is not quite
clear what claim other nations have TO inter
vene.
How far China has resumed her authority
over Tibet reports have Indicated One OF the
nrst DTS OF news was that the Amban had been
restored to actual instead of nominal author
Ivy Now the Amhan is the Chinese Imperial
minister Resident at Lhasa-aImost a Vice
roy. He exercises or should exercise the Chi
nese EmperOr's suzerainty over the Lamas.
The trouble which led 10 the British invasion
arose chiefly from Tibetan ignoring of the Am
ban. His authority had been dlsregarded He
had been made a mere fgurehead. Now, we
are told, he has again become the real ruler Of
me land In civil affairs as he should be. He
proves himself to be such by RELOCATING the sa-
cred Dalai Lama himself 10 che snsrItIIal head