CHINA'S LITTLE WAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14304, 25 February 1910, Page 5

CHINA'S LITTLE WAR.

FIGHTING. IN TIBET.

DALAI LAMA'S APPEAL.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright.

Peon, February 23. The Chinese have subdued Eastern Tibet. It is stated that the Dalai Lama intends to appeal to the Indian Government.

The Tashi Lama is staying at Shigatse. The Chinese troops sustained reverses, losing 400 men and some guns in an ambush.

Ethergraphs have now been established to Lhasa, and 200 mountain guns of the Japanese pattern have been sent to the front.

THE POSITION OF TIBET. Tibet, which has a population variously estimated at from 3,000,000 to 6,500,000, is by reason of its physical characteristics, its great mountains, and its height above the level of the sea, a country of extreme interest," apart from the fact that it is the home of Buddhism. The Dalai Lama is the head of the Government, assisted by a Council composed of a Prime Minister and nine councillors, of whom five are priests, and four laymen. The country is divided into four "lings," each governed by a lama. There are two Ambans, or Chinese Residents, at Lhasa, who represent the Chinese Government, and Chinese troops are stationed at Lhasa, Shigatse,' and Dingri. The three great monasteries outside Lhasa really govern the country, through the Tzongdu, or Great . Asembly. By the ." AngloTibetan Conventions of 1890 and 1893, Yatung, in the Chumbi Valley, on the Indian-Tibet frontier, was 'opened for trade. A British mission-under' Colonel . Younghusband was despatched during 1903 by the Indian Government to secure the observance of these Conventions. After .considerable fighting Lhasa r was reached on August 3, 1904, and. a . treaty was signed (September 7). Tibet agreed to -, establish markets at Gyangtse and Gartok, in addition to Yatung, for British and Tibetan trade, with Tibetan and British officials stationed thereat. Tibet agreed to pay Great Britain an idemnily of £166,000 in three instalments. These have all been paid, and the consequent withdrawal of the British from ' the Chumbi Valley ; followed in 1908. Tibet also agreed not to cede, sell, lease, or mortgage any Tibetan territory to; any foreign Power, without the consent of , Great Britain, and not to allow; any foreign - t Power to intervene in Tibetan affairs, or to construct roads or ; railways, or open mines in Tibet. By the AngloRussian Convention, 1907, both parties agreed to respect .the .territorial integrity of Tibet and the suzerainty of China, and to treat with Tibet only through the Chinese 5 Government, though the terms of the Anglo-Chinese Convention of ;April 17, 1906, were left unaffected. The two Governments undertook not to seek, on their own, or their subjects' behalf, any railway, road, telegraph, or mining concessions or other : rights in Tibet. By the Russo-Japanese Convention,, signed 'July 30, the two Governments agreed to-recog-nise the independence and; territorial integrity of China and the principle of equal opportunity in commerce; and industry for all nations in China. They pledged themselves - to,' uphold the maintenance of the status quo." . A '.' new ; agreement, as .to trade relations between;. Great Britain and Tibet was signed ■ in ; April. .1908, modifying the regulations of 1893. .5. The /extra-, territorial principle is to apply .to British subjects so long: as the; same principle applies in China. i Other clauses ; deal with the : maintenance of telegraphs ; and ' :posts, - and • th*«;;. rights ;of British * officers and subjects, the police regulations at the i marts • and along the. routes .J being v left to ■;:the Chinese Government. The ■ agreement remains in 'force; for 10 r years,, and if not revised .for. a . further 10 years. ~- The travels of Dr. Sven Hedin have: contri- . buted greatly; to ;'■ European knowledge ■of Tibet and its people..