Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-20
RUSSIAN PRESS IRRITATED
Terms of the British Treaty With
Thibet Disliked.

ST. PETERSBURG, September 20.-With
the arrival here of the full text of the
British treaty with Thibet, the irritation
of the Russian press at it's sweeping char
acter is more pronounced. The Russ, which
is now considered to especially reflect the
views of the foreign Office, bitterly COM
plains that Great Britain has gone beyond
her promises concerning the expedition by
acquiring virtual protectorate over Thibet
whereas she had pledged herself to merely
regulate trade regulations between India
and Thibet. Insead, the paper declares
Great Britain has imposed upon Thibet
onerous terms, which give her a monopoly
forbdding Thibet, without Great Britain S
consent, to enter into relations with the
outside world The Russ foresees that the
occupation of the Chumbi valley by the
British will be prolonged even after the
payment of the indemnity and expresses
surprise at China playing into the hands
of Great Britain in deposing the Dalai
Lama and appointing in his place a pro-
tege of Great Britain In closing, the Russ
says significantly:
The proclamation of the British protec-
torate must be regarded as an accomplish
ed fact, but whether it will be real and
lasting must depend upon future events
in central Asia
Russia officially maintains that Great
Britain has broken faith In the matter of
the Tibetan treaty, and Ambassador Ben
kendorT has been instructed to lodge a
general protest at the British foreign office.
According to the Russian view, as explain
ed to the Associated Press Great Britain S
pledges to Russia regarding the scope of
the expedition only contemplat ted the regu-
lation of trade between India and Tibet,
and she disclaimed any purpose to meddle
with the internal or political affairs of the
country.
Instead of so doing. Russia claims that a
treaty was forced upon the Tibetans, which
goes much further, creating a virtual pro-
tectorate over the country. Moreover 1t is
contended that the treaty is a restriction
upon the sovereignty of China, inasmuch as
while recognizing the sovereignty of China
by requiring her ratifications. the treaty
once ratified transfers the sovereignty to
Great Britain by compelling Tibet to con-
suit Great Britain in its dealings with the
other powers. This is considered to be
aimed directly at Russia. The protest
lodged in London doubtless will be followed
up by one at Peking against the ratifica-
ton of the treaty.
Great Britain is believed here to Justify
her action on the ground that she only
agreed to confine herself to certain snecffied
limits, contained in the assurances given
to Russia, if the Tibetans did not oppose
the British expedition.
AS matter of fact little hope is enter
tained In official circles here that the Rus
sian protests will be needed either by Great
Britain China, as Russia is not in a
position to make an issue.
The general feeling is that Great Britain
mas prohted by RusSia's pre-occupatfon in
the war to make ker position in Thibet
secure Therefore. the chief Importance
tee that Russia does not acouiesca +,
Great Britain's Thibetan program and thar
she will feel herself at liberty to reonen tha
question when her hands are again free.