Vendetta in Burma
The Burmese Government has acted with exemplary speed and firmness, and there is no reason to believe that the situation is other than well in hand. Nonetheless the murders last week-end serve as a reminder that, however smooth things appear to be on the surface, underneath there are still powerful currents which need watching. U Aung San was criticised for his dictatorial methods, but events have 'proved that during this difficult transitional period a strong hand is necessary not only to deal with the menace of dacoity but also with labour which at one time seemed to be getting completely out of hand. Meanwhile the reasons for the outrage are still a matter of surmise. Although the murder of prominent members of a Government is nearly always associated with a coup d'etat, in this instance there is no evidence so far that anything more was planned than an act of political vendetta or the elimination of unwelcome political rivals. Possibly the trials of those accused will throw further light on motives at present only to be guessed at. Meanwhile it is improbable that the assassinations will have any effect in hindering Burma's progress in the framing of her new constitution and her adoption of independence. The new head of a Government remark- able for its youth is the experienced Vice-President of the A.F.P.F.L., and the balance of the parties, among whom the Socialists are in .3 majority, has not been upset. It is still too soon to say with confi- dence that Burma has been able to absorb without too great a shock this latest outrage in a country accustomed to rule at the point of a pistol, but the signs are not discouraging.
