Office of the Historian

793B.00/6–2050: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State

secret
London, June 20, 1950—7 p. m.

3480. Deptel 2945, June 16, repeated New Delhi unnumbered. In reply guarded reference conversations with British Embassy Washington regarding Tibet, Foreign Office showed Embassy official text instructions this subject sent Washington evening June 15. Following in abbreviated form is substance such instructions:

1.
United Kingdom has always been prepared recognize Chinese sovereignty over Tibet but only on understanding Tibet regarded as autonomous.
2.
Tibet’s inaccessibility makes it impracticable do anything stiffen military resistance to China. Tibet long judged incapable of more than nominal resistance.
3.
British past interests in Tibet arose from proximity to India. These interests now inherited by India. United Kingdom no longer has representative in Lhasa. India has made it plain no possibility of her giving Tibet direct military support. In January 1950 after consultation with United Kingdom, India decided give Tibet diplomatic support and supply limited quantity small arms. India recognizes nothing can stop Chinese from taking Tibet if determined do so. When Panikkar1 talked with Mao reference was made to friendly relations between two nations with common frontier.
4.
Any attempt intervene would be impracticable and unwise. United Kingdom not sufficiently interested in area to warrant embroiling itself with China and in any case can not get out of step with India. Publicity should be discouraged; Tibetan collapse would have more [Page 366] serious effect in neighboring countries if issue were played up in advance.
5.
Regarding Tibetan mission in India, United Kingdom has no wish obstruct negotiations with China. United Kingdom does, however, object negotiations in Hong Kong and hopes they will take place in India. United Kingdom has no information to warrant inference Tibetans prepared to give in to Peiping, press reports to contrary notwithstanding.

Sent Department 3480; repeated information New Delhi 45.

Douglas
  1. K. M. Panikkar, Indian Ambassador in the People’s Republic of China.↩