"ملخص للأحداث الرئيسية. ١٩٠٨" [و‎‎٣‎٦] (١٥٦/٧٦)

Mr. Westengard, adviser to the Siamese Government, informed the British in g ™ 11 intri 2 ue
Minister in April 1908, that he thought the Germans were preparing to make
difficulties about the proposed Malay Siamese Railway.
Japanese influence is being spread throughout Siam by the medium of ncse influence,
educational establishments. There is a Japanese school at Bangkok for the
daughters of the Siamese nobility. There are also Japanese colleges of agricul-
ture b Moreover a certain number of Siamese students are undergoing courses
of instruction in Japan, including a few who are attending the Naval College
in Tokyo.
In February last the French Consulate-General at Bangkok was raised to Ge ^ e a v n at ^ 0 F f re ^J
a Legation, and'in March the German representative in Siam was raised to the Ministers in Siam,
rank of Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary.
SIKKIM.
Political
Internal.
In February 1908 the Maharaja of Sikkim visited Calcutta, and had ra j atolK(i j a
an interview with the Viceroy.
TIBET.
Geography.
Dr. Sven Hedin, who left Leh in December 1907 on a journey of Dr. Sven Hedin.
exploration, in Tibet made some important discoveries during the yeai. lie
states that his chief achievements during the journey are :—
(1) The discovery of the true sources of the Brahmaputra and Indus and
the genetic source of the Sutlej east of the M ansorawar Lake.
(2) The exploration of the province of Bongba.
(3) The discovery of a continuous mountain chain running east and
west through Tibet, the highest peaks of which are 4,000 or
5,000 feet lower than Everest, but whose passes average 3,000 feet
higher than the Himalayan passes.
A Frenchman, M. Bacot, made a 14 months’ journey in China during m. Bacot,
the year, and penetrated a short distance into Eastern libet. He crossed the
frontier near Ya-ka-lo and travelled as far as the Salween, when deficiencies
of equipment obliged him to return.
It was announced in January that an American scientific body bad deter- Dr. Laufer.
mined to send Dr. Lanfer, an eminent Chinese scholar, on a three years expedi
tion into Tibet.
Colonel Kozloff, who left Moscow in November 1907, lias been exploring the Co]onel Kozloff>
Alashan mountains, and it is believed that be intends to penetrate to Kokonor
and the north-eastern parts of Tibet He has a large escort with him that
makes him independent of Chinese and Tibetan interference.
Resources.
Tibetan trade with India for the year 1907-1908 showed a very decided Tibetan traie with
increase, which was due to a mild winter allowing caravans to cross the passes
for a longer period than in former years.
Twenty Tibetan students were sent during the year to Ckeng-tu, and a Despatch of
number to India, to learn how to manufacture guns, glass, and other important™;^ studKnt8
articles of commerce.