The Times' correspondent at Mandelay sends a story which, slightly
absurd as it seems, may turn out to be of importance. In the Viceroy's recent Proclamation promising an amnesty to all submissive Burmese, the latest date for submission was fixed at June 1st. The Burmese, it is stated, interpreted this to mean that they might continue their dacoities till that date, and are continuing them accordingly. That is not likely ; but it is extremely probable that the Burmese, noticing the date, thought they might play a game of "Heads, I win; tails, you lose," with comparative impunity. If their risings succeeded, they would drive out the British ; while if they failed, they had only to submit and receive pardon. It would be no matter for surprise if dacoity, after June 1st, died suddenly away, more especially as Sikh police are arriving fast in Burmah, and the Chief Commissioner has succeeded in establishing and supplying a number of connected small posts all over the disturbed dis- tricts. The greatest difficulty is to enlist the people on the side of order, and we confess we should like to see villages which resist both encouraged and rewarded. We expect good conduct in Asia a little too easily, and forget how disorder has broken the self confidence of the people.
Previous page
