India and Tibet : vol.1 / Page 354 (Color Image)

0354	India and Tibet : vol.1

288 THE NEGOTIATIONS

the donkey died. I said I should ask the Resident to see

that the donkey was properly treated, so that there should

be no fear of its dying. Dropping metaphor, I told the

acting Regent I was really quite prepared to receive pro-

posals as to easier methods of paying the indemnity.

If, for instance, they could not pay the full amount in

three years, I would receive and consider proposals as to

paying in a larger number of years, or any other reason-

able proposal.

The Ti Rimpoche replied that the 'Tibetans disliked

the idea of prolonging the time during which they would

be under obligation to'-us. They wanted to settle the

business up at once and have done with it. I asked him if,

in that case, he had any other suggestions to make. He

made none, but the Tongsa Penlop suggested to him that

the Tibetans should let us collect the Customs duties at

the new trade-marts, and get the amount of the indemnity

from that source. The 'Ti Rimpoche said that, while he

personally saw the wisdom of agreeing to our terms, he

could not persuade the National Assembly to be reasonable.

I said I quite saw that he was more sensible than the

National Assembly, and that he was doing his best to

bring them to reason. When, therefore, I used hard

words and employed threats, he must consider them as

directed at the stupid, obstructive people, and not at

himself personally.

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