§ 4. Major ARCHER-SHEEasked whether, in view of the fact that in the Preamble of the Tibetan Section of the Anglo-Russian Agreement, the special interest of Great Britain in the maintenance of the status quo is recognised by both Powers, what steps are being taken to maintain the status quo as it was at the time of the signature of the Convention?
§ Sir E. GREYHis Majesty's Minister at Peking, acting under instructions from His Majesty's Government, has protested against any change in the political status of Tibet which would be at variance with the treaties concluded between Tibet and Great Britain and with the repeated undertakings given by China to His Majesty's Government.
§ Major ARCHER-SHEEHave not the external relations of Tibet been subject to continual fluctuations during the last few years, and, that being so, cannot the right hon. Gentleman approach the Russian Government with a view to dropping the provisions which prevents us sending our agent to Lhassa?
§ Sir E. GREYI do not think it would be desirable to approach the Russian Government for a variation of the Russian j government in regard to Tibet at present. I trust it may be possible for the status quo in Tibet to be preserved in accordance with the agreement now in existence.
§ Major ARCHER-SHEEIs it not a fact that these fluctuations in the external relations of Tibet are causing marked 1326 unrest in the States of Sikkim, Nepal, and Bhutan?
§ Sir E. GREYOf course, all fluctuations are disagreeable, but I should hope in this case we should be able to get back to the status quo in regard to Tibet without increasing the fluctuations by making new proposals of our own.
§ Colonel YATEIs it not a fact that the Russian Buriat Georgieff has lately returned to Lhassa, and should not we send a man, too?
§ Sir E. GREYHe has not gone as the agent of the Russian Government.