(Srectat For THe "Eouisamay.")
6th September. In a short time the Tibet Mission will start on its return journey. As the Dalai Lama is in hiding, no one knows where, it is difficult to say whether the English Government have brought their negotiations with the Tibetans to a successful Some English papers wre doubtful of the safe return of the mission, as it has a dangerous road to go. However thes fears have no foundation in fact, the expedition, it is safe to say, being capable of a safe return from Lhassa as it was of a safe journey thither.
We have, ut the same time, some additional information which is of not less interest to us. The negotiations between Russia and Great Brituin with regard to Tibet are approaching a satisfactory conclusion. The " Frankfurter" newspaper publishes a few clauses of the negotiations. The English Government have sent this mission the sake of commerce. [t ackuowicdges t! ¢ Dalai Lama as the head of the Budidiists, am it will who upon the Dalai Lama as their head.
Should this be true, we cannot admit that the mission has had for the English a successful result. The only real result is the fact that the sacred" eapitnl of Tibet is "sacred" no longer. There will only be one legend the loss, the legend of Lhassa, Future events devond on the English. At first, the English Government will be satisfied with her commercial relations with Tibet, but will eventually seek to widen her sphere of influence as she has done in the case of other countries adjoining India, In England, the Tibet Mission was never fully approved of, but was undertaken at ihe strong desire and advice of Lord Curzon, In India, as well, public opinion was against the sending of the expedition. There must always be round the Viceroy a circle of his followers and flatterers who approve of and adhere to his policy.
But the majority view the mission as one of political adventurers, not at all necessary to the interests' of In Even those organs of the Press which have the same views as Lord Curzon think the sending of the expedition to Tibet a political mistake, But for us, looking at the subject from th standpoint of the friendship of Great Britain and Russia, the consequences are of the highest importance. The Tibet question will prove the firmness of the {foundation on which rest the friendly relations of the two Powers. Evorything has passed off to our mutual si faction and at this period we are on very satisfactory terms with Great Britain.
Our opinion has always been that the Tibet question cannot endanger our relations with England. On the contrary, we hope that one result of the mission will be the closer friendly approach of the two nations. the necessity of which felt as much on the banks of the Thames as on those of the Neva.
The fact that Russia is waging a war against England's ally cannot affect the success of her negotiations with England with regard to Tibet. Even if there was no war, the result would still be the same since, in our opinion, the Tibet. question does not belong to the class of questions which are likely to cause a disagreement in the opinions of two great Powers, Hy
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.