Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-26

of China Until 1895 Thibet was a prov
fnce of the Chinese empire and paid trib-
ute TO the emperor every year, but since
the war with Japan the grand lama has
sent no messenger to Peking, has paid no
tribute and has ignored the Chinese rep
reSentatfve at LaSsa
While these relations with Russia were
being tablished the grand lama was treat
ing lndla with contempt and insults.
India Demands the Open Door.
After the invasion of Sikkim In 1886 a
treaty was made with the Chinese govern
ment designating the boundary line be-
tween India and Thibet and providing that
1t should not be crossed by subject of
either government without permission from
the other In order to carry out that stipu-
latfon the Thibetans, who have a passion
for building walls, erected one sixteen feet
high and twenty feet thick across the Jey-
lup pass. closing it entirely. In 1890 the
British sent up troops tore the wall away
and demanded that the frontier DE opened
to trade. The negotiations, which were car
ried on at Picking, came to nothing, the
policy of China being to keep the territory
closed against foreign merchants in order
TO monopolfze the trade itself. After the
practical reputation of Chinese authority
by the grand lama, Colonel Younghusband
was sent to LaSsa to treat direct with the
negotiations on the pretext that 1T was
necessary to consult Picking, and promised
to send a mission to Calcutta within six
months, but never have done so. In the
meantime there has been continual friction
on the border; the Indian authorities have
repeatedly reminded the grand lama of his
promise and its postponement, but he has
stubbornly refused to communicate with
them, and has even returned their commu-
nications unopened
When the secret relations between Russia
and Thibet were discovered the Chinese au-
thorities were naturally indignant and the
Indian authorities were alarmed. After
conference China granted permission Tor
England to use whatever methods it thought
best to bring the grand lama to terms.
Thereupon Colonel Younghusband was sent
to LasSa again about year ago. Inc
grand lama again refused to see him, de-
clined to appoint an official to confer with
him and returned his credentials unopened,
and used other means to show his lndlHer-
ence and contempt for India and England.
When Younghusband returned to Cal
cutta and reported the failure OF his mis-
sion and the insults offered him LORD Cur
zon decided that the time had come to act,
and as soon as preparations could be maze
Colonel Younghusband started back 10
Lassa escorted by $3.50 armed men and
carrying provisions for two years. He was
instructed to avoid collisions, to make
friends with the people. to establi sh perma-
nent posts on the line of march Wherever ne
thought necessary and to remain at Lassd
until he secured a treaty opening the mar
kets of Thibet to British merchants. Ana
he will undoubtedly remain there perma-
nently. There is not the slightest DOUBT OF
the intention Of Great Britain to occupy the
capital of Thibet with a military force
which can be strengthened whenever cir
cumstances require, and further fnstruc-
lions will be given him as conditions may
justify.
Russia's Hands Tied.
Lord Curzon did not dispatch this eXpedl-
ton and undertake this stragetc movement
without considering the present situation OF
Russia. The car took occasion to engage
In negotiations not only with Thibet, but
with Afghanistan Also at the very moment
when England was suffering her most Sc
rious disasters and embarrassments OF re-
cent history, and is getting tit for tat. Be
fore Col. Younghusband's expedition was
dispatched the British ambassador at st.
Petersburg was instructed to inquire If the
Russian government had any relations with
Thibet or any interests there, and was OFF,
cially informed that it had not; hence the
etiquette of the situation has been COM
piled with and Lord Curzon is perfectly
free to act.
The frequent reports that Russia is send
ing an expedition to head off Col. Young
husband and to defend Lassa are perfectly
absurd. Such a force would be compelled
to march 100 miles over a great barren
plateau between 10 600 and $1,000 feet above
the sea. At this season of the year and
until the middle of May it is covered with
a heavy fall of snow. 1t Is almost entirely
unlnhaD1ted, there Is very little water, fuel
or forage and every ounce of supplies
would have to be carried along. There are
roads and shelter, and during the
winter months the plains are absolutely
impossible. Furthermore, the Russian
army has important business elsewhere.
The Thibet enterprise is expected to be
the greatest triumph and the most impor-
tant achievement of Lord Curzon's career
as viceroy of India, and he will remain in
office until it is concluded. He takes a
vacation in April, following Lady Curzon
to England, and will remain there during
the summer. She intends to visit the
United States in September or October
but it will not be possible for him to. ac-
company her, as he cannot remain away
from Calcutta so long