The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-07
EXPLORATION IN INDo.CHINA.
Important Discoveries A Successful
Underfaking.


The British expedition sent to explore the
old commercial route from Burmah to South
western China by way of Bhamo has returned
/ in safety to Msndalsy, the capital OF Burmsh
1t has occupied about eight months, having
left Mandalay on the 18th of January aud re-
turned on the goth of September. The Cal
cutta correspondent of the London Times tells
the story of the expedition:-
"Captain Sladen, English political agent at
Mandalay, was made leader. With him were
associated Captain Williams, as engineer
officer; DR.. Anderson, curator of the Indian
Museum in Calcutta, as naturalist aud two
members OF the mercantile community of Ran
COON. Captain Williams and one of the mer-
chants returned when the mission had gone
half way, and the former was succeeded by
Mr.. Gordon.
"LeaviDg the Irrawadiy at Bhamo, the mis-
sion soon entered the Khakyen HILLS. Upto
this point their steps had been dogged by
Burmese intrigue, and the prospect was gloomy
enough. BY the 10th of May the expedition
was still at Ponsee, in these hills, but Captain
Sladen bad stolen march on the people, who
were nothing 10th to detain him till he had
spent all his money, and seem to have been in
fear OF the Burmese. Captain Siadeu sent
secret messenger 10 the chiefs of the Shan
States beyOnd-those States subjact to the
Panthays, and they at once secretly responded,
inviting and hel ping the party TO come on.
The Khakyens now became most friendly.
The mission derived great prestige from the
fact that its approach was the means of eX-
pelling from ManphOO the Chinese bigand
Seesatahee. Though his funds began to fail
him in consequence of the delay at Ponses,
Captain Sladen determin ed to accept the Sh3n
invitation to Momeiu, which he reached in
some state. His plan was then either to push
on to the Panthay capital OF Pail, if all were
quiet, or to hold at Momein a congress of all
the chiefs interested in the trade. He soon
1aa at ha wa I I'M
country was disturbed.
''The Governor of Momein rules the eight
Shan States or provinces which extend due
northeast from Burmah proper he received
the mission in royal style, sitting upon
throne and entertained its members at the
cost OF the Psnthay Government during its
stay. He sent by Captain Sladen letters from
that government TO the Governor General, in
which promise is made of cheerful co0pera-
ton in revving the trade and protection TO all
British and foreign traders. The Panthays
are represented a vigorous, energetic, and
social people. Their officers were personally
on excellent terms with the mission at Momelu,
ard expressed great regret at its departure.
The deputies from the principal Saultnas or
chiefs of the Shans, who met Captain Sladen
at Ponsee, are represented as having attained
higher state OF civilization than most Shans,
and even Chinese gentlemen. They had not
heard of British connection with Burmah, or
Ol our tr6dIyi DuI Jlit hhch bhat Oho Liioo'Vh
had been sent by great and powerful nation.
They declared that their States alone could
supply one hundred thousand mules for car
riage. and longed for the opening up OF trade
to compensate tor the miSeries and loss they
have suffered since the outbreak of the civil
war in Yunan. They emplored that Captain
Sladen would return with large embassy and
full powers TO MAKE treaty.
''After sucb.a reception by the Pautha, repre-
sentative at Momein, the return OF the mission
was triumphant. Even the Khakyens showed
such affection for its members that they would
not allow them to return by any other route
than that by which they had advanced, being
eager to keep the profits of trade to them
selves. But Captain Sladen and his COM
panons managed to cross over from Manwyne
to Hotha, and to return thence over the
Khakyen hills by the route always followed
hitherto by royal embassies between Burmah
and China. A complete survey was made of the
Sawud6y route also, SO that We now know the
three main tracks through these hills, and
there are full data for fixing on the best here
after. So friendly are the Khakyens that we
do not need even to subsidze them. They
are more eager than We are and thirty OF
their chiefs accompanied Captain Slaten to
Bhamo, where they took an oath OF fidelity
to h i'm Khakyen fashion, " hile the Burmese
officials, outwitted and disgusted, looked on
Captain Sladep, regret to say, is i'll from the
ELECTS of the journey. The King, who likes
him personally, has welcomed him back, but
has refused to give audience to the mission,
about which he will not even talk.
RESULTS.
81 have not yet seen the official reports, mol
do know more OF DR.. Anderson's scientific
work than that he has returned laden with
spoils, botanical and geological, and bursting
with all sorts of new facts. But this install
ment of the results of one of the most success
full missions we have ever sent beyond ou
border may be accepted till the members car
tell their own tale. 1t illustrates the folly 0
that excessive timidity which would RESTRAIN
even private travellers from passing the bor
der, and which denies to civilization and hu
manity, no less than to science and commerce
so many dark places of the earth. What Spek
and Grant Indian officers, have done in Atric
may be more easily accomplished in Asia. Th
difficulties experienced by the pundit who's
exploration of Thibet described some time age
it now turns out, would all have been pre-
vented if, like Mr.. Beckmors, Mr.. Cooper, an
others, a formal passport under treaty ha
been obtained from Pekn. such is the officis
statement made by Mr.. Consul Morrison to tn
Royal Geographical Society at its meeting o
the 23d of March last.
'The immediate result OF Captain Sladen
success will doubtless be the despatch of
dignifed and well-equipped embassy to Tai
the moment the road from Momein is opeI
That must be done, and, under treaty,
British agent must be appointed to Bhamt
whence the navigation to RaDgoon is as eas
as that OF the Ganges from Allshabad to Ca
outta. railway, too, is likely to be mad
from Rspgoon to Bronze, in the direction