We have as yet no news of the signature of
a Treaty at Lhasa, and during the week rather alarming telegrams were received. It appeared probable that the great Lamas were intent on delay, were instigating a refusal to bring supplies, and did not intend to sign any Treaty. This would have compelled the Mission to take strong measures, such as the seizure of the palace-monastery, and might have rendered the occupation of the capital necessary through the winter. The latest telegrams, however, are more favourable. The Lamas evidently find the terms easier than they expected, and are only protesting against the amount of the indemnity, while the Chinese Amban and the ruler of Bhutan are press- ing the Dalai Lama to return, or to sign in his retreat, or to authorise signature by his lieutenants. It is probable, there- fore, as so often happens in the East, that at the last moment everybody will give way, and we shall be able to evacuate Tibet with our Treaty, with a modest indemnity, and with a store of information of the highest value. Whether the Dalai Lama will observe the Treaty is doubtful, but he will get little by breaking it ; he cannot want us back again, and he must be aware that his capital is not so completely beyond reach as he thought it was. The wild stories of vast collec- tions of Lamaists at 1Jrga and other points are not, we think, worthy of much attention. The Nepalese would know if serious danger impended from any such source.
