'Volume II. MEMORANDA REGARDING OTHER EXTERNAL AFFAIRS. 1905.' [‎63v] (131/228)

[ 2 ]
soldiers were worsted, and the Amban took
refuge in the Jong at Batang. The monks,
however, persuaded him to leave it and start
for Lhasa, saying that everything could be
arranged at Lhasa. A number of the monks
lay in ambush by some hot springs a few miles
out of Batang, and murdered the Amban there.
4. The Tibetan Government is said to
have submitted a petition through the Amban
to the Emperor of China about the Nyarong
dispute (see paragraph 7 of the Memorandum
for May 1905); they have also sent a report to
the Dalai Lama on the matter.
5. The imports passing through Tatung
from India to Tibet from the 1st October 1904
to the 31st May amounted to Bs. 9,31,000,
which is the highest figure recorded since
Tatung was opened to trade. The exports for
the same period are estimated at Its. 6,09,000,
of which sum more than two-thirds represents
exports of wool. The price of wool has, how
ever, been put down at Its. 17 per maund,
whereas this year the average value at Tatung
has been between Rs. 22 and Its. 23 per maund,
and the real value of the exports is, therefore,
about Rs. 7,50,000. This, though not the
highest figure hitherto recorded, is well above
the average. The result is especially satisfactory
in view of the obstacles to transport caused by
the scarcity of fodder.
u. paragrapn 4 or rue Memorandum
for May 1905.) The Dalai Lama is said to be
still at Urga. The high Tibetan officials at
Lhasa think it probable that the Dalai Lama
will visit the Emperor of China before return
ing to Lhasa, in order that he may explain
Tibetan affairs directly to the Emperor. The
British Trade Agent at Gyantse reports that a
further effort is now being made to induce the
Dalai Lama to return to Lhasa. Two parties
are starting for Mongolia with this object in
view one from Lhasa, and one from Shigatse.
The two parties have met at Lhasa, whence they
will proceed together towards Mongolia. As far
as Captain O’Connor can learn, there is no real
desire on the part of the Tibetans to induce
the Dalai Lama to return, but they consider
it politic to conciliate him by a display of
anxiety for his presence at Lhasa, as all
classes dread his possible vengeance upon
those who have acted in a manner displeasing
to him during his absence. It is considered
autumn 6 ^ ^ WiU be baek at Lhasa b y the
7 ; CfPtaih O’Connor reports that a
Secretary to the Tashi Lama called on him on
on 6 thp rmil ? ( 0f 4 r 6 ? tb May ’ in order to s P eak
n the matter of the attitude of the Lhasa
Government towards Tashi Lumpo. He said
that for years past Lhasa has been jealous of
tbe I’ 0WC1S sanctity of the Tashi Lama,