§ 4. Colonel YATEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any information as to the present state of affairs in Tibet; and whether the condition that the Republic of China will not be recognised till the question of Tibet has been satisfactorily settled still holds good?
§ Sir E. GREYThe latest reports show that hostilities are still in progress between the Chinese and the tribesmen on the eastern frontiers of Tibet. But otherwise all Chinese officials and troops have left the country, which is being peaceably administered by the Tibetan authorities. With regard to the question of recognition, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given to the unstarred question by the hon Member for East Nottingham on the 7th ultimo and to the statement during the Debate on the Motion for Adjournment on the 8th instant.
§ Colonel YATEMay I ask if that means the conditions formerly imposed will not now be enforced?
§ Sir E. GREYThe statement was that we were anxious to make the formal recognition of China in concert with the other. Powers, and that the one condition of which we were now asking for general recognition on the part of the Chinese Government was that previously existing treaties should be maintained.
§ Colonel YATEWill the question of Tibet be settled before that recognition is given?
§ Sir E. GREYI do not know when the question of Tibet will be definitely settled. We had not contemplated the making of the special recognition of Tibet a particular condition apart from the general recognition of existing treaties.