The Government of India has broken off all diplomatic rela-
tions with that of Burmah. It had previously withdrawn the Resident at Mandalay, Colohel Browne, and finding that this warning only encouraged the King in his evil courses—Theebaw celebrated the withdrawal by a sort of festival of murder—it has now withdrawn the Assistant-Resident, Mr. St. Barbe, and his whole establishment. They left the capital in a steamer on the 6th inst. The King made no resistance, and the people paid no attention. As it was always possible that the King might massacre the Embassy, and as that would have involved a highly inconvenient war, the withdrawal is not unwise ; but it is in strange contrast to the ordinary policy of the Govern- ment. In Afghanistan they invade an independent country, and break up a monarchy in order to insist on placing a Resident in danger of murder at Cabul ; and in Burmah, they withdraw a Resident, accepted under treaty, for fear lie should be mur- dered. King Theebaw will think himself for a time the greatest kiu.g on earth ; even the Indian Government—the most power- ful he knows—being in fear lest he should slaughter its repre- sentative with impunity. That does not signify, unless he acts upon the belief, but it will not make it easier, by-and-by, to
replace the Resident.
