Monthly Report of the Indian Mission, Lhasa, for Period Ending 15th July 1950

SECRET

From: The Indian Trade Agent. Gyantse and Officer in Charge, Indian Mission, Lhasa.

P.O. Gyantse, Tibet.

To: The Political Officer in Sikkim, Gangtok.

Memorandum No. 3(7)-L/50. 

Dated Lhasa, Tibet, the 16th July, 1950.

Monthly report of the Indian mission, Lhasa, for period ending 15th July 1950.

……

1. EXTERNAL RELATIONS.

Relations between Tibet and China.

The border incidents in East Tibet now appear to have been the result of independent action by the Chinese Communist authorities in Sining. It is understood that the Chinese government have ordered the return to the Tibetans of the wireless operators and equipment, seized by the Chinese at Chamdo. (See my memorandum No. 3(3)-L/50, dated the 9th July 1950, para 3). In the meantime Tibetan troops were sent to retake Chamdo and in a small operation they claim to have killed 60 Chinese for the loss of 14 Tibetans but did not recapture the town. The Chinese are said to have used mountain guns and the engagement.

2. The incident at Yakalo (see my memorandum No. 3(3)-L/50/A, dated the 1st July 1950) was caused by the attempt of a guerrilla band mostly Chinese, supporting the Chinese nationalist, to enter Tibet. After its repulse, this ban was destroyed by Chinese government troops near Batang. 

3. The Tibetan Government received proposals from their commissioner in Kham that he should be allowed to invade Sikang and try to occupy it as far as Tatsienlu. He reported that he had many offers of support from Khampas and monastic leaders in that area. The Tibetan Government rejected this proposal but have directed the commissioner to retake Chamdo by force but on no account to cross the accepted de facto frontier.

4. Tibetan reports deny the presence of Chinese troops in Jyekundo. It is stated that there is a force of 4000 Chinese at Kanse who are engaged on road making.

5. It appears that the Chinese Government did not intend very early military action against Tibet and wish first to try the possibilities of winning controlled by negotiation. The apparently restrained policy of Peking and the news of the trifling scale of the incidents on the east frontier have greatly restored Tibetan confidence.

6. Mention in Chinese official circles of the forthcoming liberation of Tibet continue, but on less chauvinistic lines.

C. Relations between Tibet and Nepal.

It is believed that the Tibetan Government have agreed to a wireless station being installed in the Nepalese Legation at Lhasa.

D. Relations between Tibet and the U.K. and the U.S.A.

1. As mentioned above, the High Commissioner for the U.K. has explained the British authorities position to the Tibetan Government through their Mission. The situation appears to be appreciated here and feelings of irritation have diminished. It is realised that relations between the British Government and the Chinese Government have not yet been established and that a meeting between Tibetans and Chinese Communists at Hong Kong would embarrass the Hong Kong authorities.

2. Miss Bevan Is being prosecuted in Darjeeling for her unauthorized crossing of the Tibetan frontier (see your memo No. 10(11)-P/50, dated the 5th June 1950).

3. Messrs. Bessac and Zvanzov (see Foreign’s telegram No. 24815 dated the 4th July 1950) Are still at Lhasa in spite of messages from the U.S. Embassy urging speedy departure from India. The Tibetan Government proposed punishments for the soldiers responsible for the death of three members of the American party, and they asked for suggestions from Mr. Bessac. He asked that proposed mutilations should be omitted and punishment confined to flogging on a scale lighter than the Tibetan form and a display of the culprits in Lhasa in a wooden cage

Mr. Bessac who was at one time given training by the O.S.S., appears to be consulting tentatively with the Tibetan Foreign Bureau about U.S. help to Tibet, especially by the supply of arms.

II. DOMESTIC.

1. Ngapho Shape left for Khan on 11th July, and Ragashar Shape will shortly leave for Nagchika with the monk Commander-in-Chief.

2. The missions which the Tibetan Government propose to send to the U.K., the U.S.A. and Nepal, which have been waiting at Gyantse, are reported to have been ordered to return to Lhasa.

3. The Tibetan Government have opened a wireless station at Shigatse.

4. A disturbance took place at Lhasa in which soldiers of the recently recruited Trongda regiment came into conflict with the police, wounded several of them.

5. News of fighting in Korea is attracting much interest here. It is hoped that this will prove a distraction of Chinese attention from Tibet. The less well-informed think, foolishly, that a third world war would benefit Tibet.

III. ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

1. The exchange rate is moving in favor of Tibetan currency, probably in view of restored confidence on account of better news from Khan and the hopes now being pinned on Korean affairs.

2. The Tibetan Government have permitted to import 22,000 Chinese silver dollars into India. They intend to use the sale proceeds of the dollars for payment of part of their dues for munitions supplied by the Government of India.

IV. PRESS.

London Times of 13th June contained a long article on Tibet and China which stressed India's unique interest in the matter and expressed the view that it is to India's advantage that the proposed talks between Tibet and China should succeed. The article contains the remark that both sides are bluffing to some extent, and that the Chinese know well that the Dalai Lama and not Chinese-controlled Panchen has the support of the Tibetan people.

V. PERSONAL AND SOCIAL.

1. I made a short tour to Talung and Reting monasteries. At the latter I found that the valuable collection of Sanskrit mss, dating from Pandit Atisha’s day, it intact although it cannot be examined at present.

2. Federal government have been informed that Mr. Sumul Sinha will succeed me shortly. They also heard an A.I.R. Report that Mr. Dayal will shortly be succeeded by Mr. I. Chopra as Political Officer in Sikkim. No official intimation of the change has been given them yet.

VI. MISCELLANEOUS.

I have been trying to get the Tibetan Government to expedite their reply to the application of Prince Peter of Greece for a visit to Gyantse. The Prince has been showing signs of impatience. A letter to him was received on 14th July for transmission through the Mission bag but I have not been told of its contents officially but understand it contains a polite refusal “for the present”.

Sd/- H. E. Richardson,

Indian Trade Agent, Gyantse &

Officer in Charge, Indian Mission, Lhasa.