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THE INTERNATIONAL
to be the richest country in the world for gold deposits. Furthermore the adjacent territories possess rich agricultural and pastural lands. This vast region is little known to the outside world. The Chinese call Tibet "the Western Treasury," for, besides gold, there are other kinds of metals especially copper, in great quantities. Indeed the name of the Western Treasury is most appropriately applied to this unknown region. When the world's supply of precious metals are exhausted, we have to resort to this vast mineral bearing region for supply. So railways will be necessary at least for mining purposes. I therefore propose the following lines:
- a. The Lhasa-Lanchow line.
- b. The Lhasa-Chengtu line.
- c. The Lhasa-Tali-Cheli line.
- d. The Lhasa-Taklongshong line.
- e. The Lhasa-Yatung line.
- f. The Lhasa-Laichiyaling line.
- g. The Lhasa-Nohho line.
- h. The Lhasa-Iden line.
- i. The Lanchow-Chochiang line.
- j. The Chengtu-Dzunsasak line.
- k. The Ningyuan-Cherchen line.
- 1. The Chengtu-Menkong line.
- m. The Chengtu-Yuankiang line.
- n. The Suifu-Tali line.
- o. The Suifu-Mengting line.
- p. The Iden-Gortok line.
