The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-08-28 00:00:00

AFFATRS IN BURNAM

The following officers have been appointed to the
command of the three new brigades which are to be
formed in Burmah in October: Cavalry Brigade,
Brigadier-General R. C. Stewart; Ist Infantry Bri-
gade, Brigadier-General C. J. East; 2nd Infantry
Brigade, Brigadier-General W. S. A. Lockhart. It
is to be hoped, now that the Government are about
so largely to increase the force in Burmah, says the
Times correspondent, that an effort will be made to
secure what has hitherto been wanting—namely,
good intelligence, power, rapid motion, prompt action,
and constant harassing of the dacoits. Without
these the work of pacificatior. will be a long and
tedious business. It is, indeed, open to doubt,
whether the end in view might not be more easily
attained, not by pouring in troops, but by raising a
large, well-organised and well-equipped force of
military police, recruited chiefly from non-Burmese
tribes, but with a certain proportion of Punjabees to
give backbone, and commanded by specially selected
officers. Such a force acting under district officers
would be better able to protect the peaceful villagers
and follow up the dacoits than would the regular
military expeditions. It is in the highest degree
important, too, that the lower ranks of the Civil
Administration should be largely increased, that
the officers should be carefully chosen, that pre-
ference should be given to those who have some
knowledge of the country and language, and that
the higher executive posts should invariably be con-
ferred on men who have some experience in Burmah,
and not, as has been done in some cases, on Indian
civilians who are wholly ignorant of the Burmese
language and customs. Another matter of urgency
is improvement in communications, roads, and rail-
ways, works which will not only materially facilitate
the restoration of order, but will also iend to the de-
velopment of the country. But whatever be the means
adopted, the work of pacification should b 3 pushed
on. Delay will have the effect of increasing the
difficulty, and of raising troubles with the Shang, the
Kachyens, and other hill tribes, and of opening the
door to possible complications with China.

BRITISH SUCCESS.
(Renter's Telegrams.)
RANGOON, Aug. 24.
Mr. Colqnhoun, with Captain 0. Smith, of the
Hampshire Regiment, in command of forty-two
Europeans, fifteen tunjabis, and thirty Burnians, has
made a successful attack on Thayanmoo, in the
Sagaing district. Hisao and his lieutenant and 100
of their followers were killed.
Stamt, Aug. 24.
The departure of the troops to reinforce the army
in Burmah has been postponed :or a month.
BOMBAY, Aug. 24.
_ _ _

_
Fifteen steamers have been chartered by the
Government for the conveyance of the troops to
Burmah.
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INUNDATION OF MANDALAY.

Telegraphic communication with Mandalay having
• been interrupted for some days, news has just been
received, dated Thursday last. On the previous
evening, about six o'clock, the river embankment
which protects Mandalay burst or was cut northward
of the town, and the Irrawaddy being in high flood,
the larger portion of the town which escaped the
recent incendiary fires was inundated to a depth of
from 4ft. to 20ft. A great number of houses were
swept away, and about 50,000 people are believed to
be houseless. As a great quantity of property,
especially of provisions, is destroyed,' much distress
was feared, and the difficulty of people in obtaining
food is greatly increased by the want of a market.
The inundation was expected to last some time, and
the highest floods in the Irrawaddy have yet to come.
The exact number of deaths was not known, and
different statements were current as to the cause of
the calamity. The authorities wero unaware of the
embankment having .given way for some hours after
the occurrence. The Irrawaddy Flotilla Company
have been very active in relieving the sufferings of
the people, and have rendered valuable service. The
Tinzes correspondent states that the inundation of
Mandalay will for a time greatly increase the diffi-
culty of military operations, as communication with
the outposts and the despatch of reinforcements of
supplies will be very difficult. The former English
Residency, lately occupied as a barrack by the 23rd
Madras Regiment, and other posts • have been
temporarily abandoned owing to the inundation.
Desultory skirmishing with the insurgents continues.
It is officially announced that by the 20th of
October reinforcements, consisting of two batteries of
artillsry, four battalions of British infantry, three
regiments of native cavalry, and five regiments of
native infantry will arrive in Burmab. The forces in
Upper Burman will then number about 35,000 men,
and will be divided into six brigades. Sir Herbert
McPherson will assume the chief command. There
is much sickness among the troops at Blum°. Four
hundred, or 25 per cent, of the entire force are in
hospital. At M.embu, a very unhealthy station, 450
are in hospital. On Friday, says a later telegram,
the Engineers cut the embankment south of Manda-
lay to let out the water in the town, but there is no
result as yet. The river is stationary. It is reported
from Bhamo, that the water is falling there. When
the river has fallen nine feet the upper
portion of the town will be relieved. The
lower portion will continue inundated for a long
period. It is useless to attempt to repair the em-
bankment until November. The breach is now 300
yards wide. In 1877 a portion of the embankment
burst, but the inundation was not then nearly so ex-
tensive as now. The present catastrophe is un-
doubtedly largely due to inadequate provision for
public works. Only 10 lakhs are allowed for the
whole province, including railway survey. No funds
were available for keeping the embankment in repair.
The value of the property lost and the injury caused
by the inundation, it is estimated, will largely exceed
100 lakhs. It is urgent that public works slimuld be
undertaken. The railway which is surveyed near
Mandalay should be forthwith begun. It would
greatly assist in the pacification of the province, and
would prevent great suffering among the people by
affording means of subsistearo,