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Communications.-The officials and merchants have collected a sum of about 8,000 rupees for the repair of the Teng Yueh-Ta Lá trade route, and it is hoped that substantial improvement may result. The Taotai is trying to raise further sums for the same purpose by a lottery, and some tools have been brought up from Bhamo.
The iron bridge over the Nan Sa Ho on the new frontier trade route, and the improvements on the same route, to extend to Lung Chang bazaar, will be completed before the rains. This will in effect give us a fair graded road for 80 miles from Bhamo towards Teng Yueb. The trade is now deserting the old Manwyne route, but while the question of a light railway is under discussion it is hardly to be expected that any large sum can be expended on the road.
To my regret, nothing more has been heard of the projected light railway survey. I may mention that last suminer a portion of the Lashio line in Burmah was washed away by mins, and it is believed this was in part due to insufficient allowance having been made at the time of construction for rainy reason conditions; it therefore seems that my suggestion that to have a reliable estimate the survey party on the proposed Teng Yuch line should see the country during the rains is sound.
South-East Thibet.-Letters have been received from the French Thibet Mission on the Upper Mekong, dated in February. The fathers state that during the winter letters were received at the chief lamaseries in South-East Thibet from Lhassa, stating that the foreigners had humbly come to Lhassa with their soldiers, but that so many of them had died of disease, &c., that the Deva Lhung, taking pity on them, had granted them a Treaty and permitted them to depart-"C'est ainsi que ces picux lamns se lavent la face."" It is stated in South-East Thibet that a new Dalai Lama has been chosen, but other lamas maintain that the former Dalai Lama has only temporarily ascended to heaven and will shortly redescend from the abodes of bliss to Potala. Thus, says Père Dubernard, there are two parties in the large lamaseries, and it is not impossible that they may fall to fighting, a situation which would doubtless open the door to Chinese intrigues.
The fathers report that last year's events at Lhassa have had but little effect on the common people in South-East Thibet, who knew or cared little of what went on, but the lamas, who were better informed as to what really occurred, seem to have learned prudence. The lamas of Atentse bave presented a written paper to the Wei IIsi Yamên, binding themselves not to molest the French fathers. This, however, has not prevented these lamas from commencing a private war against their brethren of the Hanpu Lamasery on the Mekong, quite regardless of Chinese authority. The French fathers report that other lamas have come forward to reconcile these broils.
Chinese Justice-Two thieves who had stolen some jewellery from a yamên in Teng Yuch were recently caught. They were then hamstrung, and by very rude surgery the tendons in their legs were pulled out and nailed over the south gate of of the city to encourage the other thieves. The prisoners were then turned loose to die--this in an open post," where, out of deference to European scruples, the Chinese officials are supposed to behave in a less barbarous and absurd manner thar their original nature would prompt them to do. Comment is needless.
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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
SOUTH-WEST CHINA.
Sir,
CONFIDENTIAL
No. 1.
Foreign Office to India Office.
[May 18566
RECP SECTION 131 MAY 05
ON the receipt of your letter of the 22nd February last, a despatch was addressed
Foreign Office, May 18, 1905. to His Majesty's Minister at Peking relative to the proposal put forward by the Acting British Consul at Tengyueh for removing the prohibition, under the Burmah-China Treaty, of the passage through Burnah of Yüunan opium in boud. letter was inclosed in that despatch.
A copy of your
Sir E. Satow was reminded that the object of the proposal was to increase the trade between Yünnan and Burmah, and it was pointed out that the Government of India had no objection to negotiations being entered into with the Chinese Government with the object of securing the concessions which it would be necessary to obtain before Yunnan opium could be conveyed to the Treaty ports of China by the Bhamo- Rangoon route.
He was therefore requested to bring the suggestions of the Government of India to the knowledge of the Wai-wu Pu, representing that the scheme was one which was quite as much for the benefit of the Chinese Government and its finances as for the benefit of India; it was, however, to be made clear that the Government of India were not prepared to purchase the consent of the Chinese Government by concessions of material value in other directions.
I am directed by the Marquess of Lansdowne to transmit to you herewith, for the consideration of the Secretary of State for India, a copy of a telegram from Sir E. Satow,* setting forth his reasons for thinking that it is not desirable to make any suggestions on this subject to the Chinese Government.
I am to inquire whether, notwithstanding the opinion expressed by Sir E. Satow, Mr. Secretary Brodrick still considers it advisable that the Chinese Government should be approached in the matter.
I am, &c. (Signed)
F. A. CAMPBELL.
* Sir E, Satow, No. 35 (Telegraphic).
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