St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-11-13
INCITING HIS TROOPS.
King Theebaw Declares War and Urges
His Followers to Fight For
Their Country.
Europeans to be Allowed to Depart Until
After the English Gross the
Frontier.
Steamer Seized at MandaIay--Sketch
of the Burmese Army and
Defenses.
Great Activity at Roume1ia--Pr1nes
Bismarck to be Asked to Effect
Settlement.
Formally DECLARES War.


RANGooN, Nov. 12-King Theebaw has
issued a proclamation declaring he will not
accept the absurd proposals of the Indian
government, and therefore declaring war.
He promises personally to lead his troops
and calls upon his subjects to fight for the
defense of their country and religion. Eu-
ropeans are not to be molested until the in
vaders cross the frontier, when all are to be
slain. Many Europeans are leaving Man
dalay unhindered. The Italian consul will
remain for the present. Advices Just re-
ceived from Mandalay state that the Bur-
mese have detained the steamer which was
sent to Mandalay to bring away Europeans,
and threaten to burn her if she attempts to
leave. The foreigners are not allowed
to leave Mandalay. The British expedi-
ton army force under Gen. Prendergast
will cross the frontier of Burmah on Sum-
day next. The fiotilla is now ready, and
comprises torty-fve steamers, flats and
floating batteries, the latter being fitted out
from six OF the largest barges. Each of the
floating batteries carry two siXty-pounder
howitzers, and are attended by armed
launches. Twelve twenty-fve-pound siege
guns are mounted on the steamers. The
force numbers 5000 men, 1000 camp fol-
lowers, 500 mules and two elephant batter
les. 1t is stated that the strength of the
Burmese standing army is about 10000,
which. however. can be considerably in
creased by irregular and temporary lines.
The army is almost altogether lacking both
in cavalry and artillery. The constitution
of the regular force is somewhat similar to
the linked battalion system of British in
fantry, two bodies, each
FIVE HUNDRED STRONG,
being linked into something equivalent to
'Bogyi," under whom are officers termed
'Blooddrinkers." These officers are very
deficient in military training. When in the
field the Burmese army is rapid in move
ment and quickly forms entrenchments, ex-
cavating holes to obtain shelter both from
the enemy's fire and the weather. Behind
these rudely- formed breastworks. and under
the impression that the position cannot be
turned, the Burmese warrior is decidedly
dangerous. He has one advantage over a
more civilized foe, in that he provides his
own commissariat, carrying a supply of rice
around his waist and for other
provisions depending upon the re-
sources of the country through which
he passes. The Burmese are regarded
as adopts in river fighting. There are a
number of war boats on the Irrawaddy,
mainly supplied by towns and villages along
vide certain number of boats with their
crews of rowing and fighting men, from
fifty to seventy of whom are carried by each
boat. In the last Burmese war great deal
of annoyance was caused the English by
fire boats. freighted with highly infamma-
BILE material Comparatively little diff
Guilty in dealing with the river craft is now
anticipated. Machine and other guns, sup
plemented by rockets. will probably make
short work of the opposition that may be
offered on the river. Commanding posi-
tiOnS on the banks, however. are already
enclosed by stockades and fortified, and for
use against these number of
HEAVY GUNS
are being carried. A transport was pro-
vided by the Irrawaddy Flotilla company,
all of whose available steamers and flats
were hired by the British government. The
steamers are paddle Wheel spacious craft,
of 500 tons burden, shallow in hull and
light in draught, with high upper decks on
which guns are carried. These vessels
were constructed in parts on the Clyde and
put together at Rangoon. The steamers
tow couple of flats one on each side. The
latter, with their corrugated iron awnings,
resemble huge floating sheds and are each
capable of carrying 900 men, with large
quantity of stores. Under ordinary cir
cumstances steamers make the passage
from Rangoon to Mandalay in ten
days. The distance is 500 miles
from Rangoon to Thayetmayo; 240
miles (three days., Thayetmayo to
Ava $50 miles, Ava to Mandalay IL miles.
The river swarms with native craft and is
navigable only by daylight. For nine miles
above Thayetmayo the river is mile and
half broad. with villages and and houses
lining the banks of the winding stream.
Minhla, which contains 5000 inhabitants,
completely commands the river, and until
it is taken no advance beyond the town
can be made. A fort Of modern construc-
ton and scientific design occupies high,
dominating position, everhanging the river,
and it's well-formed earthworks are toler-
ably well mounted with guns of modern
caibre. Above Minhla the river gradually
widens to as much as four miles, but is
very shallow and the navigable channel is
known only to experienced pilots.