The Thibetan Campaign.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7938, 20 October 1904, Page 2

The Thibetan Campaign.

,(By; Electric Telegraph—Copyrigfit) (Per Press Association),,

LONDON, October 19. It is semi-offioially stated in London that owing to the Thibetans' inability to pay the indemnity of 75 lake of rupees in three years-, a proposal is now before the Government, and influentially supported, that the laks be paid annually until the amount is obtained, and that Britain holds Chumbi valley until the indebtedness is. discharged.. The ar rangement meets with the Thibetans' approval..

Begarding the ratification of the treaty, the Amban, who throughout the negotiations placed no[."'..obstacles.' in Colonel Younghusband's way, suddenly declared at the eleventh hour that he objected to the whole proceedings, adding that China's suzeiianty was insufficiently recognised. The reversal of his attitude ia interpreted- to mean that he has received from Pekin instructions inspired by adverse foreign influence. Although told that suzerainty implied responsibility, and also that Britain had not expended a million sterling for no thinp, the Amban did not sign the treaty. The appointment of Tangshaoyi was a surprise, for if China awaits a conference between the authorities m India and Lhassa before adhering to the treaty the delay will be serious, as it will unsettle the Thibetan mind and pave the way for the return of tbe Dalai Lama and Donjieff. One of the contentions in the Eussian objections viz, that the treaty will seriously affect the Mongolian Lamas and Buddhist, andßurists of Baikalia, is a bogey, inasmuch as the Buriats of Baikalia have their own Lamas, who in many respects are rivals of the Dalai.