The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-11-14
War in the East.

LoNDoS. Nov. 10.-A telegram from Ran
eoon states that war between Burmah and the
Indian Government has been formally de-
clared. Burmah, or the kingdom OF Ava, is
situated in the south eastern part of Asia,
beyond the River Ganges; has an area OF about
zoo. 900 square miles and population estl-
mated at 4, 900, 900. The country is bounded by
China, Thibet, India, British Burmah and
Siam. and is a rich and fertile region. This
new annexation scheme IS liable to add con-
siderably in time to the revenues of the British
Indian Empire In addition to fertile plains,
Burmah is rich in ruby mines, while sap
phires. the topaz, amethyst and many other
precious stones are found in the beds of riv-
ulets. Silver and iron mines also exist, as
well as some famous petroleum wells The
climate is generally healthy, especially IN the
hilly districts, and the country possesses all
the elements of prosperity. The religion of
the country is Buddhism, said to have been
handed down to the people by the Cinghalese.
The troops are raw levies, but of late years
have been drilled and partly dressed in imi-
tation of the British soldiers, the infantry
wearing red spiked helmets. The cavalry are
mounted on small, thin ponies, the saddle
being fiat with hump in front covered with
red cloth.
1t is not probable the Burmese army will
be able to make any prolonged stand against
the British troopers and sailors, though they
have twice already fought desperately and
bravely against the latter, showing determined
courage, especially when behind their bamboo
stockades. In 1924 Lord Amherst, Governor
of india, declared war against Burmah, and
sent Gen. Campbell to Cachar, which had ex-
PEELED its Raiah, who was tributary to the
King of Burmah. Campbell gained victory
at Prone, December 3, 1925, and shortly
afterwards concluded treaty of peace with
the Burmese. But, as the treaty was not
ratified, Campbell renewed the war in the
following year, and the treaty was ratified
few DAYS later. The Imprisonment of the
captain of ship and some other British sub
iects by the Governor of Rangoon, led to a
second war in 1852, which resulted in the
Province of Pegu being annexed to the Brit
ish Indian possessions, and with Aracan and
Tenasserin was eventually constituted the
Province of British Burmah in 1862, the cap
ital being Rangoon The states of Aracan,
Merqui, Tavoy and Ye fell into British pos
session at the close of the war of 1924.
King Theebaw, the present ruler OF Bur
nah, was born in 1858, and succeeded to the
throne in 1878. He was distinguished stu.
dent, carrying off high honors, and owing
much of his early training to an English mis-
sionary. He inaugurated his reign by abol-
granted to his favorites, and proclaimed free
dom of trade But this good commencement
was soon followed by an evil reaction, and he
caused the arrest of his numerous brothers,
numbering about fifty, lest they should con-
spire against him, and is said to have treated
them with great cruelty. In March, 1879,
the young King suddenly ordered some forty
of his relatives to be massacred, and his man
date was promptly obeyed, men, women and
children being butchered and thrown, dead
or half dead, into pits in the palace gardens.
Subsequently many hundreds of Theebaw's
relatives and members of his court were put
to fearful tortures and slaughtered, women
being ripped up and childrens brains being
dashed out against the walls. These acts
caused great excitement in British India, and
led to the withdrawal of the British Resident.
This massacre was followed by others even
more horrible, and the Embassy was finally
forced to leave Mandalay, the capital, init
mating that all foreigners had better follow.
The British army of invasion numbers about
1900 men, with about 8, 900 camp followers.
The first engagement will probably occur when
the British hotilla bombards the Minhala forts
Under the command of Gen. Prendergast,
the army is advancing in three brigades, the
naval brigade manning the government river
steamer Irrawaddy, armed with twenty-poun-
ders and machine guns, ten steam launches
and other iron plated river vessels, the British
war ships drawing too much water to pass up
the river. The sailors are from Il. NJ. SIS.
Woodlark Bacchante, Turquoise and other
ships of the East Indian squadron, under Ad-
miral Sir Frederick Roberts