REPORTED RUSSO-GHINESE AGREEMENT. 353 



from an Indian Viceroy, he sends autograph letters 

 by the hands of special envoys to the statesmen on 

 the Neva. 



The case was obviously one for inquiry, and when 

 a year later reports became current of a secret Russo- 

 Chinese agreement relating to Tibet, involving a vir- 

 tual Russian protectorate over the country, a definite 

 denial from the former Power became imperative. In 

 the first instance, Count Lamsdorff declared that the 

 mission " could not be regarded as having any political 

 or diplomatic character." He had, he admitted, re- 

 ceived an autograph letter from the Dalai-Lama, which, 

 however, contained nothing of very grave import. It 

 was, in fact, found on translation to merely express a 

 hope that he — Count Lamsdorff" — was in enjoyment of 

 good health and prosperous, and to inform him that 

 the Dalai-Lama was happy to be able to say that 

 he himself enjoyed excellent health ! The reports of 

 any agreement about Tibet were categorically denied 

 by both the Chinese and Russian Governments, and 

 the origin of such reports — ' The China Times ' 

 actually gave the text of the agreement in twelve 

 articles ! ^ — remained a mystery. 



1 The articles of the alleged Eusso-Chinese agreement relating to Tibet, 

 as published by 'The China Times' in July 1902, even if, like the will of 

 Peter the Great, apocryphal, afford interesting reading. The most import- 

 ant items are as follows : — 



I. " The Chinese Government, conscious that China's power is weakening, 

 agrees to relinquish her entire interest in Tibet, with all privileges and 

 benefits, to Eussia, in exchange for Eussian support and assistance in main- 

 taining the Chinese Empire." 



II. " In the event of any trouble occurring in the interior of China which 

 the Chinese Government finds itself unable to cope with, Eussia undertakes 

 to suppress it." 



IV. " Eussia will hereafter establish Government officers in Tibet, and 

 control Tibetan afiairs." 



VIII. "Chinese merchandise imported into Tibet shall be either duty 

 free or very lightly taxed." 



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