According to established custom the troops in Tibet ought to be reviewed every spring by the Imperial Resident in person, and Sheng Tai explains that, being unable to perform the duty himself this year, owing to his absence on the frontier under Tmperial instructions, he deputed a Major on the Tibetan establishment to undertake the task on his behalf. The Major in question, Ch'én-kun, in forwarding a muster roll of the troops reviewed, explains that the bulk of the forces in Tibet had een called away for service on the frontier. The performance of those thst remained was very creditable, proficiency in archery and target practice being attested by an average score of over 70 percent. Remarking on the absence from the review of the Tibetan troops, the Resident states that although they have been recalled from service on the frontier, yet they have become 20 dispirited and enfeebled by the long stay there that they all found it n to avail themselves of leave of absence. As their condition was deserving of some sympathy they were exempted from undergoing the present review, but they will in; accordance with previous customs be called out for the autumn manoeuvres, 17th August.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.