Russia's Hold on Thibet.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 36, 12 February 1904, Page 4

Russia's Hold on Thibet.

A CHEAT ANGLO-RUSSIAN FRONTIER. I THE ISOLATION OF BRITISH TUAHE. ll is a remarkable fact that the signing oi the Thibet Convention between Russia and China in 1902 excited no comment at the time. Several reasons may have accounted for tho apathy of English politicians. 'Pine terms wore never published officially, and public interest was then directed towards Pekin, where events of seemingly greater importance 'had been taking place. Moreover, it was doubted by those who read the clauses' whether they could ever be made 'effective—a doubt which has simce been dissipated by Russia's subsequent actions with regard to Thibet. The Frankfurter Zeitung published the text of this Convention on the information of Mr Alexander Ular. It was then reprinted ill the Russian semi-official papers, and further commented upon by the Novi Krai. The mention of a "third Power" in Articles 1. and 11. is especially significant in view of the difficulties likely to l>e encountered by the Younghusband mission in its march to Lbassa. The Convention consists of four articles ; Article I.—Thibet l)eing a territory situated lietweeii Central China and Western Siberia, Russia and China are mutually obliged to care for the maintenance of peace in that country. In case troubles should arise in Thibet, China, in ondcr to preserve this district, and Russia, is order to protect her frontiers, shall despatch thither military forces on mutual notification. Article ll.—in case of apprehension of a tbi Ixl Power's contriving, didiroctiy or indirectly, troubles in Thibet, Russia and China oblige themselves to concur in taking such steps as may seem advisable for repressing such troubles. Article 111. deals with the means for the preservation of religious liberty in Thibet. Article IV.—ThilK-t shall be made gradually a country with an independent inner administration. In order to accomplish this task, Russia and China are to share the work. Russia takes upon herself the reorganisation of the Thibetan military forces on the European model, and obliges herself to carry into effect this reform in a good spirit, and without incurring blame from the native population. China, for her part, is to take care of the development of the economic situation of Thibet, and specially of her pro-gi-ess abroad. Where the wording of these clauses was vague the Novi Krai supplied tho necessary explanations in twelve paragraphs, of which tho most important are the following : 1. In order to maintain peace in Thibet, China, since she is unable to do so, abandons to Russia her rights over that country. 4. Russia takes upon herself the administration of Thilwt, and provides (or this purpose special managing agents. 5. China is allowed to have Consulates in Thibet. The immediate effect of this treatyis to create an Anglo-Russian frontier of more than 2UOO miles. A few . years ago (says the Daily Chronicle) this would have raised an outcry in . England which would have unseat- . Ed the Government that had permit- [ ted such a tilting to hapi»en. Nowadays, however, the invasion of In- ( din by Russia is no longer within , the sphere of practical politics ; least I of all would it 1« possible from the . Tbibetani side of the Himalayas. The , danger is no longer military but cconomic. And it is a very real one Those who have watched Russia's Eastern expansion are convinced that the acquisition of Manchuria and Thibet is intended as a step towards tlie isolation of British trade. It is in oixler to prevent an economic invasion of her dominions . through -these districts that she has , 'determined to absorb them, and thus . place them as barriers to our comiiierce. Tho war of the future will be wagiua with economic weapons a fact which Russia l»as fully recogniscd and of which she is availing her- , self by a far-seeing policy of trade restriction. Thibet in itself is of , little value to her, but as a barrier . against the irruption of British rade into Centra! Asia it is^s £ tial Granted that „ho has established a footing by the Convenlon crtod above, it , iH be £ mgif the Younghusband mission does not make her show -her hand at an earry date.

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