§ Sir J. D. REESI beg to ask the Under-Secretary for the Colonies, as representing the Secretary of State for India, whether he can make any statement with regard to the situation in Tibet?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Colonel Seely)In view of the present disturbed condition of Tibet the Government of India have thought it necessary to collect at the frontier a sufficient force to enable the trade agencies at Gyantze and Yatung to be speedily reinforced in case they should at any time be in immediate danger of attack. The force which is held in readiness includes one battalion of native infantry, two sections of mountain artillery, and a section of sappers and miners, and also a battalion and a section of sappers and miners will be sent if necessary to hold the lines of communication. This force will not cross the frontier unless the protection of our officers renders it necessary, and it will in no circumstances intervene between Tibetians and Chinese, and if it should ever enter Tibet it will be withdrawn as soon as the situation permits.