SIKKIM.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4548, 25 May 1889, Page 3

SIKKIM.

• According to the Calcutta correspondent of the Daily News of tho sth April, Mr Hart, the Chinese envoy who was sent to Calcutta to nettle tbe difficulty with Sikkim, is likely to fail m his missioa. Like the pure blooded Chinese official beforo him, who essajed the same task, he probably fails from no fault of his own. The Thibetans aro obstinately bent on rot knowing when they are beaten, and I hey refuse all concessions. They have been beaten twice or three time3 — at no slight cost to tho Indian Government, as all operations against them have to be carried on m the clouds, and each time we hare been assured by the apologists of the expedition that the lesion would finally serve. Long before the close of lust yoor our field force was broken up, though garrisons were left at Gnatong and Ganfok till peace waa signed. They are there still, and now the Calcutta papers wish to have them descend into the Chumbi Valley on the melting of the snows. Tho Llamas, it appear*, decline all discussioo until we subscribe to their preliminary article — a recognition of their suzerity over ISikkim. Do they know what they mean by refusing it? It seems a small matter as argument of war for another campaign. Our trade with Sikkim is said to be about equal m volume to the transactions of a London tea house ; but it may improve.