The sun., 1919-10-15
Centre of Dispute Is Province
Containing Population
of 7O,000,000.
PEACE PROPOSALS MADE
World Suffers Great Loss in
Raw Materials Through Con-
tinued Fighting.
Special Correspondence to the Far East
ernl Section Of THE Sun.

PEKIN, sept. 20.--Pr0SpectS are un-
bright at the Hresent time for a
settlement of the long standing strugsle
between China and Tibet. with defini-
tion of the boundaries of the two coun-
position of the rich trade territory OF
Szechuan Province, which is lost to both
countries and tho world so long as the
dispute continues. In some official quar-
ters here the belief is expressed that
China at the present time has her best
chance OF obtaining a settlement that
will be satisfactory to the country, al
though it is admitted that concessions
will have TO be made.
The centre of the dispute is Szechuan
mately 100000 square miles in western
China and a population Of more than
10000, 900 souls. In this vast territory,
which is traversed by the Yangste-
kiang River, which splits it into nu-
merous parts with its branches. are
raised silk, cereals, sugar, tobacco, tea,
oil seeds, rhubarb and other vegetable
products. Coal, iron and salt also
abound for the country is mountainous
and its rich hills barely have been
tapped
In view of the great loss to the pro-
ductivity of the world it is urged that q
new attempt be made to obtain a settle
ment, ending the constant border war
fare of the last Ave years and opening
the metal laden hills and fertile lands
and valleys to prospecting and devel-
opment.
1t is believed in authoritative circles
here that the negotiations for settle
ment of the dispute, which were broken
off in India in 1914, can be resumed now
and an agreement satisfactory to bots'
China and Tibet can be arranged. In
fact China, to show her sincerity and
earnestness in the matter. has proposei
that the old negotiations be resumed
although the Tibetans have the better
of the fighting and are in control OF a
large section of Szechuan Province.
Great Province Helpless.
The Tibetans have been at war with
China since the revolution, and although
handicapped in resources for the prose-
cution of warfare have won several VIC
tories since 1917. SO much has been
won by the Tibetans that Szechuan
Province at present is beyond the con-
troll of China and, being without help,
is unable to withstand the attacks and
aggressions of the Tibetans.
A settlement of the controversy Is de-
sired on all sides, not only by the
Tibetans and the Chinese, but also by
the British. Once concord and estab-
lished government is restored In
Szechuan Province bad influences will be
removed from the neighboring India. 1t
also Is desired by Great Britain that the
exact trade status of India be deter
| mined in the negotiations between China
and Tibet, for the advantages are large
and a contributing factor In the present
| demand for ending of the dispute.
In Szechuan Province the feeling also
prevails that a settlement would be best
for all concerned and also the neighbor-
| ing States. The provinces always has
| ignored the Chinese Government. prob
ably due to the influence of the Tibetans
so far as internal affairs are concerned
But when aid and guidance are neces-
| sary for the prosecution Of the fight the
Szechuan authorities turn to the Chinese
| Government and implore assistance. de-
string at the same time to unload o
part OF the burden of defence on the
central Government.
The attempts to settle the present
question date back to 1913-14. when q
| tripartite conference sat in India nnd
| duly drafted treaty. This was initia, I'd
| but never ratified because China OBJ
| jected to some of the terms In the draft
| Objection also was found against the
concessions made by the Chinese envoy
to the conference. China claimed sover-
eighty. but the contention of her neigh
bors was supported by Great Britain.
1 Tn IN A nn m n m ri .
| In this draft Tibet obtained autonomy
but the suzerainty OF China was recoe
nized, although Chinese troops and Of
ficials were prohibited from the coun.
try, except in the case of a Resident
Governor with suitable guard. The
draft also differentiated between outer
Tibet, which is autonomous. and inner
| Tibet, which was to be under the soveT
eighty of China, but was to have specia
privileges When this draft, which was
made at Simla. reached China she re
fused to sign it because Of dissatisfac-
ton over the new frontier lines, The
Chinese officials refused to accept tbs
new boundaries and another ifnpass'
was reached.
What is recognized geographically as
szechuan and Chinese territory is Tibe
tan ground from an chronological stand
point. 1t was for this reason that thu
proposition TO create the inner and outei
Tibet was offered and China at ono'
objected to the boundary lines.
After the SImla conference failed
China agreed to an armistice pending
the resumption OF negotiations. Fo'
three years this was observed and theI
a Chinese General, acting without In
structions, thought to steal a march OF
his adversaries and attacked the Tibe
| nf WI
deeply by the Tibetans and period o.
reprisals OF the most ruthless characte
followed. This has continued, with th'
Tibetans having the better OF the argu
ment, but the frontier regions hav'
been devastated and there has been {
great loss OF life and property,
In view OF the attack by the Chimes
General the Tibetans have not been will
ing tn end the fighting and II has gon,
on spoyadicaly. In Justice to China, 1
must be said that the attack OF tn
Chinese General was without authority
but China, due to political turmoil O
home, was unable to control the action
OF its soldiers. Thus the Chinese sur
prise attack failed, for the Chinese Gov
ernment was unable to give any aid q
the commander, and the Tibetans, con
stantly pursuing border warfare, gaines
several advantages which they hold unit
the present day.
At the present time II appears tina
the Tibetans are willing to forgive ant
forget and China is ready to drop som
Of her frontier claims and accept a set
tlement. 1t also is feared that the situa
ton will grow worse constantly unless
studious and strong effort Is made b,
both sides and other interested partie
10 come to an agreement Prospect
; inst now ara bright and II an aRreapNen