We do not quite like this Sikkim business. The Indian
Government is entirely in the right, and must use force ; but we question if it is using force enough. The Rajah of Sikkim, a mite of a country important only because it would give the Tibetan armies, if there were any, a free road into the heart of Bengal, has chosen to make himself, in defiance of treaties, a feudatory of Lhassa. The governing Lamas there have an idea that the Indian Viceroy wishes to enter their territory, and in order to prevent him, have occupied two forts in Sikkim, one of which controls the chief pass. After perhaps too much negotiation, Lord Dufferin has sent a small force to dislodge the Tibetan troops, active operations commencing on March 15th, and they, on their side, have been reinforced from the plateau. Tibetans are not bad fighters behind stone walls ; they remember, though we do not, the business in Bootan ; and we should not wonder if we received rather a severe lesson in the folly of over- confidence. The Chinese Government is, it is said, quite on our side, and admits that the Tibetans are wrong, but pleads inability to interfere. It asks, therefore, for a few more months of delay, daring which it may make representations at Lhassa. The Chinese Government is a trustworthy Government, for Asia, upon all subjects except two,—the navigation of its interior waters, and the independence of Tibet, upon both of which it makes any representation that may for the moment be con- venient. It will be responsible enough for Tibet if we win, and obtain control of the chief pass. It will urge then that to keep it would be an unfriendly act injurious to its honour.
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