§ MR. LAMBERTI beg to ask the Secretary of State for India what is the period fixed before which the Tibetan Expedition will proceed to Lhasa; where is the Chinese Amban to whom notice is to be given; how is it proposed to communicate with him: and what is the character of the Chinese suzeraintv in Tibet.
§ MR. BRODRICKAs I have already stated, I have not yet been informed by the Government of India of the date they will name in the communication to be sent to the Chinese Amban for the advance of the Mission, in the event of the Tibetan Government failing to send competent negotiators to Gyangtse. The Chinese Amban is not reported to have left Lhasa. The communication will, I presume, be sent to him there in the same manner as previous letters to him. The character of the Chinese suzerainty in Tibet is shown in Prince Ching's Note of the 5th December, 1902, explaining the instructions sent by the Chinese Government to the Amban at Lhasa. It is printed at page 147 of the Tibet Blue-book.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTON (Tower Hamlets, Poplar)Was the Chinese Government communicated with before the ultimatum was sent?
§ MR. BRODRICKThe information was given jointly to the Chinese Government and the Amban.