Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1885-11-19
The Burman Dispute.

1t is announced from Rangosn that
the reply of King Theebaw, Of Burma, to
the British ultimatum is not satisfactory,
and that the British expeditionary force
will proceed forthwith to enforce the
demands of Her Majesty's Government
by resort to arms. This was to have
been expected, of course. English BUSH
ness interests are at stake, as well as
British pride and diplomacy, and the
cause of christian civilization" is to be
advanced by making war upon an inde+
pendent sovereignty Of semi-barbarous
people under the rule of a savage and
blood-thirsty despot.
This dispute had its origin in the ac-
tion taken by the Burmsn Government
to compel the Bombay Burma Company,
British corporation having very valu-
able franchises in Independent Burma,
to pay S1,OOO,O0O under the terms of the
zgrant of forest leases by the Burman
King The company appealed to the
British Government on the ground that
the demand was not in accordance with
any reasonable construction Of the grant.
and this appeal was sustained. Ths
Burman authorities were given to un>
derstand that the British Government
could not acquiesce in the processing
against the company, and demand was
made that the whole matter be submit
ted to arbitration-the arbitrator to be
named by the Vieeroy of India.
1t is not strange that a rather tart ret
ply should have been sent to such novel
proposition. and the fiat refusal to sus-
pend action against the company fol-
lowed. King Theebaw was given anoth-
er chance to save himself from trouble
by accepting the ultimatum that all pro-
eeedings against the Bombay Burma
Company should cease pending an inyss-
tiqation by a person sent by the Chief
Commissioner of British Burma for that
purpose. To all demands from that
quarter the King has turned deaf ear,
and now be is to be brought to his senses
through the persuasive arts of British
expeditionsry force.
If this were question affecting only
the rights of business corporation the
public would take little interest in it, but
if there is resort to arms, which now
seems inevitable, the lives of thousands
of innocent Burmans will be sacrificed
on the altar Of British greed. The action
of the King in exaeting so large sum
from the company may or may not be
just, but this does not have the remstest
relation TO the fact that England's main
purpose is to secure q better and safer
highway to China. Upper Burma fur
nishes the most available route between
the eastern provinces of India and China,
and hence British trading interests de-
pand that the route be kept open. King
Theebaw has given double offenss to the
British by insisting tbatGermany, France
and Italy must be consulted before he
gives control Of the Burman foreign re-
lations to any other Power. AS was re-
Gently remarked by leading Soudan
paper, -the establishment of another Eu-
ropean influence in Upper Burma could
be regarded by the English only with
dismay." The Wawaddy is the key to
the trade of vast region of country,
and the valley of the Upper Irrewaddy
is Independent Burma. England would
not be true to her money making in
stincts if she did not take possession OF
such a valuable trade route, no matter at
what cost of life and treasure.