Treachery in Tibet Read Free Page A

story will bewritten as a straightforward report, not an opinion piece. Not a leader, of course.’
    ‘I understand. And so …’ He leant forward, ‘you would presumably have no objection if I cast an eye over it before you cable it? Just, of course,’ he added hurriedly, ‘so that I might be in a position to correct what might be the odd inaccuracies which can, I know, creep into the most carefully written pieces.’
    Summoning what she hoped was a beguiling smile, Alice shook her head gently. ‘I am afraid not, sir. It is not the policy of our newspaper to allow stories to be censored, so to speak. I fear that you must trust me.’
    ‘Very well. Now, do please begin.’
    Alice took a deep breath. ‘Do you intend to invade Tibet?’
    Curzon feigned deep astonishment. ‘Good gracious no! Whatever made you think that?’
    Scribbling away, Alice looked up. ‘Because for some months now you have had a diplomatic mission – guarded by a military escort of remarkable size considering that the Tibetans are not a militaristic race – sitting over the border half a day’s march into Tibet at a place called Khamba Jong. I understand that the Tibetans have consistently refused to negotiate with the mission and that it and its escort is now being withdrawn back into India and that a considerable number of troops is being assembled near the border, presumably with aggressive intents towards Tibet? Why?’
    The Viceroy, seemingly unperturbed, raised two hands defensively. ‘Most of what you say is true. What is not true is the assumption that you draw from the facts.’
    ‘Then why, pray, assemble the troops? What have the Tibetans done to harm India or the Raj?’
    ‘Ah.’ He pressed the fingertips of both hands together and tapped them, in a meditative mode. ‘We must go back a little in time, Miss Griffith, so that you understand the background.’
    ‘Please do.’
    ‘Very well. You will know that I have travelled extensively through these parts in the past and talked with a good many rulers long before I took up this position in Calcutta?’
    Alice nodded, pencil poised.
    ‘In fact, I may say – if a trifle immodestly – that, in addition to being the youngest viceroy to be posted here, I believe that I am almost certainly the best equipped, in terms of having studied the history of the region and its problems, both from the perspective of the British government in London and from my many discussions on the ground with people of influence throughout the subcontinent and its neighbours.’
    Ah, thought Alice, now the man’s conceit is beginning to reveal itself! But she nodded slowly again and said, ‘Of course. I would certainly be prepared, sir, to concede that.’
    ‘Very good of you, madam, I am sure. Now,’ he leant forward, ‘from all my studies and conversations, I have formed a firm conclusion that Russia has intentions towards Tibet, if not aggressive militarily, then certainly so in diplomatic terms.’
    Alice frowned. ‘But surely Tibet is a vassal state of China, and Russia would certainly not attempt to upset the Manchu Empire?’
    ‘Oh, I am not speaking of direct invasion. But there is plenty of circumstantial evidence that Russia is attempting to turn Tibet against us. The Tsar’s emissaries are to be seen frequently in Lhasa, I am informed, and more and more stories are reaching me that Moscowis beginning to arm Tibet. There is even a manufacturing plant being set up in Lhasa, I am told, to produce Russian rifles there.’
    ‘Why should Russia do all this?’
    ‘Because it covets India and wants a route through to this country. As you know, Cossacks have left a trail of havoc over the decades riding through Central Asia towards the Indian North-West frontier. They’ve taken the Russian double-headed eagle right up to the northern frontier of Afghanistan. We have called their bluff there and there they have stopped. Now, it is my conviction that they are seeking to find another way in.