HC Deb 27 July 1904 vol 138 cc1333-5
MR. LAMBERT

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India if the Commander of the British and Indian forces in Tibet has instructions to advance to Lhasa before negotiating for peace; and at what date is it expected that destination will be reached.

MR. BRODRICK

The Mission and escort have orders to proceed to Lhasa to negotiate there, in accordance with the notification made to the Tibetan authorities that this action would be taken if they failed to send competent negotiators to Gyangtse by a fixed date. There is nothing to prevent negotiations taking place at any point on the march to Lhasa if competent negotiators appear. The latest information received states that the Mission marched to Yarsig on the 21st instant. Yarsig is sixty-six miles from Lhasa.

MR. LAMBERT

When is it expected to arrive at Lhassa?

MR. BRODRICK

That depends on what opposition it meets with.