With regard to Afghanistan, Britain will not change the political
position of that country, nor encourage it in designs against Russia. Russia in return recognises that Afghanistan is, outside her sphere of influence, agrees not to maintain agents there, and promises to act with Afghanistan through the inter- mediary of the British Government. This portion of the Treaty does not come into force until Russia is informed by Britain of the Amir's consent. Russia and Britain agree to respect the territorial integrity of Tibet and to recognise China's suzerainty. They agree to treat with Tibet only through the Chinese Government., and to abstain from inter- vention. In a supplementary clause Britain undertakes to terminate the occupation of the Chumbi Valley after.the pay- ment by Tibet of three annual instalments of the indemnity ; and if through the default of Tibet this should be impossible, Russia, and Britain will enter into a friendly exchange Of views. We comment on this Convention elsewhere, and will only say here that though it is easy to criticise it, the difficulties Sir Edward Grey had to face were great, and we believe that on the whole it is likely to be a very valuable compact, which will lessen our anxieties, and serve the cause of peace in Asia. In Russia and France it has been received with almost unanimous approval. In Germany criticism is apparently being reserved, but the tendency is to discover an incompati- bility between the creation of spheres of influence and the promise of equal commercial rights for all nation's.
