No decisive news has arrived from Burmah, but the little
there is is unfavourable. The King, it is stated, has received the Chinese General Leesetahi, the reputed author of the attack on Mr. Margary, with the highest honours, and Sir Douglas Forsyth was directed to stop on the frontier, and inquire what that might mean. He has since, however, gone on, and has been honourably received, but of the success of his mission we have no informa- tion. The King may be alarmed, or may be merely gain- ing time. We have discussed what seems to us the serious point of the situation, the possibility that the King is relying on China, elsewhere, but we may mention here that, according to the Times' correspondent, the opinion of Shanghai is that the annexation of Burmah would have a beneficial effect upon Pekin. We doubt it, as Burmah Proper would be swamped by Chinese immigrants, who would, in the event of any quarrel with China, be a constant source of danger ; but it is only fair to record the local opinion on the other side. Opinion in Pegu also, we believe, is in favour of annexation.
