The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-11-21
Two Wars.

Two wars are now in progress-one in
Europe and the other in Asia. The latter
conflict is waged on the part of the Indian
government against King Theebaw, of Bur
nah, on account of alleged breach of faith
and contract on the part Of Theebaw toward
the East India Company, concerning trade
and commerce. That is the declared cause
of war, but it is suspected that the alleged
breach of faith and contract only affords the
English government pretext for territorial
ACKNOWLEDGMENT. Burmah has area of
2OO, 900 square miles-about twenty times as
large as Maryland-with a population of about
four million. The soil is rich and precious
stones and metals abound. To possess this
territoryHntsld add considerably to the reve-
nnes of the British empire. In each Of three.
previous wars-1s24, 1925, and 1s52-the
British have taken large slices ofthe Burmese
territory, and the present war will result IN
further ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of the country. King
Theebaw is pictured in colors of black, as ty-
ranical and bloodthirsty, and no doubt Isl ard
while there may not be sufficient cause for
the declaration of war on him, still his depo-
sition and change of rulers and government
may result in great advantage to his subjects
France does not view serenely the extern
sion ofthe British possessions IN the East.
She has possessions herself on the opposite
side Of the peninsula composed of Burmah,
Siam and Anam, aud is jealous of British
power. Russia does not regard the extension
compIacenty, and. if Burmah is not too
quickly absorbed, serious complications may
arise between the British Empire on the one
hand, and France and Russia on the other,
while China might take hand also. The
latter's recent conflict with France in Tonquin
proves that her power is not to be despised,
aud her energies would be directed against
France and Russia, should she be involved.
The British forces are now advancing, by
way ofthe Irrawady river into King Theebaw's
dominions, and two commands are advancing
by land. A few weeks war is all that the
British anticipate
In Europe Servia has declared war on Bull
garia, both former Turkish provinces. King
Milan officially informed the powers last Sat
urdav that Servia had declared war against
Bulgaria because the latter had arbitrarily at
lacked the Servian position at Viasina, which
was held by the Merava division of the Kings
,roops. and was in Servian territory, opposite
the Bulgarian frontier The King has also
issued proclamation which says that Servia
cannot allow Bulgaria, which has already
proved a hard neghbor, to disturb the balance
of power in the Balkans to her exclusive ad-
vantage. He then alludes to what he terms
the uniustifable Bulgarian customs duties on
the frontier, the unlawful seizure of Bregova,
and the encouragement by Bulgaria of the
Servian rebels condemned for high treason.
King Milan also mentions the alleged ill-treat-
ment of Servian emigrants in Bulgarian, the
blockade ofthe frontier by the Bulgarians, and
attacks by undisciplined Bulgarian volunteers
on the Servian people and troops.
The Servian troops at once crossed the
boundary into Bulgaria in three divisions,
showing full preparation before hostilities
were proclaimed A sharp fight occurred at
TIN, in which many were killed on both sides,
though the Bulgarians fed, leaving the Ser
VANS victorious. The latter are marching on
to Sophia, the Bulgarian capitol, and no doubt
will speedily capture it. Servia will make
short work of Bulgaria, unless other powers
interfere. and this little war may lead to ser
ious complications, involving Turkey, Russia,
England, Austria and Germany.