693.0031 Tibet/8–147
The Ambassador in India (Grady) to the Secretary of State
[Extract]
No. 100
New Delhi, August 1,
1947.
[Received August 18.]
Subject: Tibetan Trade Mission: Plans for Washington Visit;
Political Background.
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Embassy’s
despatch No. 913, dated January 13, 1947, on the subject “Letters to the
President from the Dalai Lama, the Regent, and the Kashag of Tibet;
Political and Strategic Considerations Pointing to the Desirability of
Eeturning Courtesy Visit of Tibetan Goodwill Mission”, and to enclose for
the information of the Department a copy of a translation of a letter from
the “Foreign Office” of the Government of Tibet dated June 11, 1947; a copy
of a letter from Tsipon Shakabpa, a Tibetan official; and copies of the
Embassy’s replies thereto. It will be noted that the Tibetan “Foreign
Office” states that, with a view to promoting trade between Tibet and India,
China, the United States and Great Britain, Tsipon Shakabpa, head of the
Tibetan Mint, has been appointed leader of a trade mission which intends to
visit the countries under reference; and requests that the Embassy inform
the Department in order that Tsipon Shakabpa may “have cordial talks there
on arrival”.
Arrangements in Washington
Tsipon Shakabpa, in his letter, states he will carry letters of introduction
to the President, “and also to high officials with whom” he will “have to
discuss trade matters”; and that he will be grateful if the Embassy will
furnish “names of the officials in America” in order that “introductory
letters” may be prepared. He also states he will appreciate receiving “any
essential advice” regarding his contemplated journey.
In view of the Department’s desire to avoid any action which may reflect on
the Chinese claim to sovereignty over Tibet, the Embassy has addressed its
reply to the letter from the “Foreign Office” to the “Foreign Bureau”. The
Embassy has informed the Bureau that a copy of its letter is being forwarded
to the Department for such action as may be deemed appropriate, and has
indicated that if Tsipon Shakabpa visits Delhi he will be welcome to call at
the Embassy.
In its reply to Tsipon Shakabpa the Embassy has stated it is conveying to the
Department the particulars set forth in his letter and that the Department
is being requested to make appropriate arrangements during his visit. It is
pointed out that while the Embassy would be glad to furnish names of
individual officials, it is felt that the Department
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would be in a better position to advise him in regard
to the calls he wishes to make.
It is hoped that these non-committal replies will leave the Department free
to do as little or as much as it deems appropriate in looking after the
visitors.
. . . . . . .
Respectfully yours,
For the Ambassador:
Howard Donovan
Counselor of Embassy
[Enclosure 1—Translation]
The Tibetan Foreign Office
to the American Chargé in India (Merrell)
Sir: We are pleased to announce you that for
the welfare of the Tibetan people and merchants and establishing good
relations between Tibet on the one hand and India, China, U. S. A., and
England on the other, we are devising ways and means to promote the
export and import trade between Tibet and the above countries. To
achieve this end in view, we have deputed Tsepon Shakabpa who is the
head of the Tibet Government Mint House as the leader of the trade
mission to visit the above mentioned countries and have talks with the
respective governments. We shall deem it highly obliged if Your
Excellency will be kind enough to intimate this to the State Dept. at
Washington also so that he may have cordial talks there on arrival. We
empower Tsepon Shakabpa fully in this matter and solicit Your
Excellency’s help in every respects.
Your Excellency’s faithfully,
[seal]
[Enclosure 2]
The Leader of the Tibetan Trade Mission
(Shakabpa)
to the American Ambassador in India
(Grady)
Dear Sir: I have been ordered by my Government
(Tibetan Government) to proceed to the United Kingdom and the United
States of America on a Trade Mission during this year as soon as
necessary arrangements for the journey are complete. Official intimation
of my proposed visit has already been sent to your office addressed to
Mr. George Merrell.
The primary object of the mission is to make enquiries and to study the
possibilities of improving both import and export trade between Tibet
and U.K. and U.S.A.
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I might mention here that I shall carry letters of introduction to your
President and also to high officials with whom I shall have to discuss
trade matters. I shall, therefore, be grateful if you will kindly let me
know the names of the officials in America. The information is required
urgently for preparing introductory letters.
Any essential advice regarding my journey, accommodation, etc. during my
stay in America will also be appreciated.
I myself do not know English excepting a few words but I shall have a
good interpreter with me.
Tibetan exports at the moment are wool, musk, skins and furs, yak-tail,
etc. and as regards imports we want all sorts of articles about which I
shall make enquiries in your country.
Thanking you in anticipation,
Yours truly,
[Enclosure 3]
The Counselor of the American Embassy in India
(Donovan)
to the Tibetan Foreign
Bureau
New Delhi, July 30,
1947.
Sirs: I acknowledge with thanks your letter of
June 11 in which it is stated that with a view to promoting trade
relations with India, China, the United States, and Great Britain, you
have deputed Tsepon Shakabpa, Head of the Tibetan Government Mint, to
lead a trade mission which will visit the countries in question for the
purpose of holding discussions with the governments concerned; and in
which you request that this informaiton be conveyed to the Department of
State.
I am glad to inform you that a copy of the translation of your letter is
being forwarded to the Department of State for such action as may be
deemed appropriate.
Should Tsepon Shakabpa visit New Delhi in the course of his projected
trip, I hope he will call at the Embassy.
Faithfully yours,
[Enclosure 4]
The Counselor of the American Embassy in India
(Donovan)
to the Leader of the Tibetan Trade Mission
(Shakabpa)
New Delhi, July 30,
1947.
Sir: The Embassy is in receipt of your letter
of June 14, 1947, in which you state you have been ordered by your
Government to visit the United Kingdom and the United States for the
purpose of studying
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the
possibility of increasing trade between Tibet and the United States and
the United Kingdom; and in which you request the names of officials with
whom you might discuss trade matters.
I am glad to inform you that the Embassy is conveying to the Department
of State in Washington the particulars set forth in your letter under
reference and in the letter of June 11 addressed to the Embassy by the
Foreign Bureau. I am requesting officials of the State Department to
make appropriate arrangements during your visit. While I should be glad
to furnish names of individual officials I feel the State Department
would be in a better position to advise you in regard to the calls you
may wish to make.
Should you visit New Delhi in the course of your trip I should be very
happy if you would call at the Embassy.
Very truly yours,
