China
Agreement of the Chinese and Tibetans (December 1912) [p.180]
AGREEMENT OF THE CHINESE AND TIBETANS
14 DECEMBER, 1912
ARTICLES of the Agreement made in the Water-mouse year, i.e., the 6th Sudee of the Magh month of the year 1969
(translation of the Nepalese version)
On account of the fighting between the Chinese and the Tibetans, the representatives of the Chinese and of the Tibetans met together in the presence of the Nepalese representatives as a witness, and in his office, in order to satisfy the respective parties. The representatives discussed the matters which were in dispute, and finally decided as follows.
1. First, to count consecutively all the arms which had been stored in Yapshi house, to see whether the number of arms stored there is correct. After this, to set apart from the arms which were kept in Yapshi house, and also from the arms which are to be collected hereafter, and to-hand over to the Tibetans, the Tibetan prong-guns, the newly manufactured five-shot magazine U-shang guns, and the Nu-chhau-u or Martini-Henri guns which bear Tibetan marks. The cannon, and all the big and small guns (without bolts), and the powder, and the cartridges, which belong to the Chinese, shall be kept in the Sho store room. The (door of the) store room shall be sealed by the representatives of the Chinese, Tibetans and Nepalese, and it shall be guarded by the Nepalese until the Chinese have crossed the Tromo (Chumbi Valley) frontier. After this the Nepalese shall hand over the sealed (store room) to (the custody of) the Tibetans, and shall obtain proper receipt from them.
2. Until the Chinese leave Lhasa, the Tibetans shall send Tibetan merchants daily with sufficient food to sell to the Chinese. Should any Chinese require to go towards the Tibetan side, he shall receive a letter from Tungling, and should any articles have been left with the Tibetans, the owners, whether Tibetan or Chinese, can take them.
3. The Tibetans shall arrange to supply riding ponies and transport to the (Chinese) officials and soldiers during their march according to the list. (a). The Tibetans shall supply riding ponies and transport to the (Chinese) traders and subjects, on payment of 10 thankas for each riding pony and 6 thankas for each transport animal from one jong to the next jong, i.e., at each of the changing places for animals.
4. The Tungling and the (Chinese) officials and soldiers and subjects will start from here (Lhasa) on the 8th of this month (December 16th, 1913). They will not molest the Tibetan subjects, nor loot their property on the way, and they (Chinese) will return direct (to China) via India without delaying on their way.
5. Should any arms and ammunition other than bolts be found among the baggage of the Chinese at the place of inspection, the Tibetan Government will take possession of them.
6. The Tibetans will supply on proper payment sufficient food for the Chinese at halting places and stages on their way.
7. The Tibetans have promised not to injure the lives or loot the property of Tungling, or of the Chinese officials and soldiers, traders and subjects, who are leaving Tibet, or of the Chinese traders and subjects living in Tibet.
8. The houses in the neighbourhood of the Yamen are to be handed over to the Tibetans. The wooden boxes, and utensils, according to the list written in a book, will be kept in a separate house, the door of which shall be sealed by the representatives of the Chinese and Tibetans. The Tibetans will look after the house.
9. As regards the monks of the Tengyeling monastery. At the time when the first agreement was made, His Holiness the Dalai Lama promised to protect the lives of the monks should they behave well. The representatives undertake to observe this promise.
Both the parties (Chinese and Tibetans) are satisfied and have agreed (to the above).
(Sign and seal of the Tibetan Representative Ten Timon)
(Sign and seal of Kempo (Professor) Trung-yik Chempo
(Chief Secretary Trepa Gyal-tsen)
(Sign and seal of Kenchung Lobsang Gyatso, Interpreter)
(Sign and seal of the Sera, Drepung and Ganden
Monasteries and of the National Assembly)
(Seals of the Chinese Representatives)
(Sign and seal of Jha-ka Mu-yon Gyo-khun)
(Sign and seal of Lhasa Li-si-kwan Cha-del)
(Sign and seal of De-si-kwan Ka-ra-kwan)
Witnesses:
(Sign and seal of Lieutenant Lal Bahadur Chetri, Officiating Nepalese Representative at Lhasa)
(Sign and seal of Dittha Kal Persad Upadia)
(Sign and seal of Se-Ku-sho Rana Gambhir Singh Gharti Chetri)
Notes
1. Source: FO 535/15, No. 181, Inclosure 6