26 OCTOBER 1985, Page 11

One hundred years ago

All the signs point to a war with Burmah. The Viceroy of India has prepared an ultimatum, which left Ran- goon for Mandalay on the 22nd inst., and which must be accepted or rejected within three days. It contains several clauses; but only two are of importance — namely, that the King shall receive a British Resident, with a military guard, thus reducing himself to the position of the Nizam; and that such Resident shall appear at Court in boots, which means in Burmah that he claims to be the equal of the King. Theebau will con- cede neither condition, and, indeed, has already summoned his soldiers, and sunk chains in the Irrawaddy to stop the steamers. Spectator, 24 October 1885