-We note with great dissatisfaction a hint, which looks demi-
official, that the British may annex half Burmah, declaring the Shan States now dependent on it independent. What is the use of that piece of prudery ? There are two. solid and, as we think, sufficient reasons for not annexing Burmah. One is that the Empire is already too big for its army ; and the other that China, whatever she may say, will be irritated by the step. The first difficulty may be got over by garrisoning Burmah—the whole Presidency, we mean—with marines, the water-roads of the country being its grand highways, and iron gunboats better defences than fortresses ; but the second is incurable. Neither, however, will be lessened by letting the Shan tribes loose. Not only will they make incursions on our frontier and worry the Forest Department to death, but they may also pillage the Chinese, who will quite
justly hold us responsible for their losses. We must have all Burmah or none; and though we should prefer none, still we had rather have all than half. If experience teaches us any- thing, it is that we cannot manage independent hill tribes when they can fly, on attack, out of our jurisdiction. Besides, Englishmen must not shirk work when they are conquering ; and we alone of mankind know how to civilise these Shaus, who are not savages, but fragments of a great shattered race, still capable of recovering its civilisation.
