Mandelay should fall by the beginning of the week. The
Bur- mese ships, with the materials for blocking the Irrawaddy, were snapped up by the steam launches ; on the 17th inst. the Minhla Forts, which were bailt by an Italian engineer, and are the only serious defences of the capital, were carried by Gen. Prendergast by assault. Kuligon, on the Eastern side, made no resistance, the garrison pouring out as the British and Madrassee troops marched in; but on the Western side there was fighting. The fort and batteries in the town opened fire, and when the column advanced, the Burmese resorted to the national defence, stockades. They fought, it is said, bravely enough, and the stockades were only carried after a loss of five officers killed and wounded, and about fifteen men. It is probable, though not certain, that the beat Burmese soldiers are in the capital, and if so, there may be sharp fighting between the Irrawaddy and the Palace, which is three miles from the river bank. The King's Italians, too, will be there, and may give trouble ; but the Burmese are not Soudanese, and have but a poor chance against weapons of precision. It is stated, almost demi-officially, that Theebau means to fly to China, and that the Chinese will arrest him ; but how is he to get there, unless, indeed, he deserts his followers and makes for Bhamo in a steamer P He is much more likely, knowing Calcutta, to sign a treaty of cession, and stipulate for a large allowance for himself. The proposal to hang him, which we regret to see made, is nonsense. He is not in our jurisdiction; his massacres of his own subjects are perfectly legal, and if we execute him the next King we attack will fight to the death. " No quarter " is the policy of idiots.
Previous page
