An amendment having been moved by Sir M. Bhownaggree to
the effect that the British Exchequer should defray a substan- tial portion of the expenses of the Tibetan expedition, Mr. Brodrick resisted the proposal on the ground that the Welby Commission had clearly laid down that expeditions for the pro- tection of the frontier were matters of Indian interest. Replying to Mr. Gibson Bowles's appeal for a precise statement of the Government's intentions as to Tibet, Mr. Brodrick declared that the Government still adhered to the policy announced in November. They could not give pledges as to the date of the return of the expedition to India, but as soon as a settlement was reached the expedition would leave Lhasa. There must be an indemnity, but inthis matter he must ask Parliament to allow the Government full discretion as to terms. They proposed neither to occupy the country permanently, nor to establish a Protectorate, nor to appoint a Resident; but they were resolved to make the British name respected and to protect the frontier. Mr. Brodrick regretted the feeling in the Transvaal against the immigration of the natives of India, declared that he would do his best to defend their interests, and assured his hearers that, before any settlement of fiscal questions affecting the Empire was arrived at, India would have to be consulted. In con- clusion, he welcomed the tone of general approval of Lord Curzon's services and of his return to India for a further term of office.
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