CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910 — Page 419

This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government,]

[B]

2011

417

REP Rece18 MAR 10

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[6336]

No. 1.

[February 22.]

SECTION 1.

Sir,

India Office to Foreign Office.~(Received February 22.)

India Office, February 22, 1910. WITH reference to the letter from this Office of the 17th January last, enclosing copy of a telegram from the Viceroy in which it was stated that a new treaty had been concluded with Bhutan, I am directed by the Secretary of State for India to forward, for the consideration of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, copy of a further telegram, dated the 20th instant, from which it appears that the Government of India desire to make the treaty public at once.

In view of the recent action by China in those regions, Viscount Morley agrees with the Government of India that the sooner the treaty is published the better. But it is out of the question that this should be done until His Majesty's Government are in possession of the exact terms of at least that part of the treaty which deals with the foreign relations of Bhutan, and he therefore proposes to request the Government of India to telegraph it.

I have, &c.

R. RITCHIE.

Inclosure in No. 1.

Government of India to Viscount Morley.

(Telegraphic) P.

February 20, 1910. PLEASE see my telegram of the 15th ultimo in regard to the Bhutan Treaty. The Maharajah was informed by Bell, acting in accordance with instructions of His Majesty's Government, that no disclosure of the treaty should take place until he heard from him. To this arrangement His Highness agreed. Bell now informs us that through Bhutanese officials many persons are becoming aware of the fact that a treaty has been concluded. That the Chinese already know about it Bell has little doubt. He is of opinion that so long as we delay publication of the treaty the Chinese will endeavour in various ways to undermine it without our being able to prevent them. When Bell visited Bhutan several Chinese spies were visiting it, and for some months past rumours have been current that Ma Chi Fu has the intention of revisiting the country. Visits of this kind will make the position of the Maharajah awkward. On all these grounds Bell recommends that publication of the treaty should take place with as little delay as possible. In the circumstances we support Bell's recommenda- tion. We are forwarding by post a copy of the treaty.

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