The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-14
AN IMMEDIATE ADVANCE.

General Prendergast Ordered to Invade Burr
mese Territory immediately.
CALCUTTA, Nov. 13-Lord Dufferin, Viceroy
of India, has ordered General Prendergast, COM
mander of the Burmah expeditionary force, to
invade Burmah forthwith, and proceed with all
haste to capture Mandalay. The British forces
will now cross the frontier Immediately.
Recent dispatches from Rangoon state that
the inhabitants Of districts in British Burmah,
where no large garrisons are maintained, are
greatly alarmed over reports that King The
baw has subsidized IL, 900 Dacoits to cross the
frontier and begin plundering and numbering at
the first note of war. The Dacoits are robbers
who work in large gangs, and are noted for their
bold exploits. Having neither baggage nor COM
missariat these bands travel with marvellous
speed and it will be hard for the British troops
to catch them
The British troops will mass at Thyetmayoo
and thence make attack on Minhla, where Bur
mese troops arriving. Reinforcements have
been sent to Loapghoo. which is menaced by
force of G, 900 Burmese
The British authorities here issued a procla-
nation to the natives of Burmah, assuring them
that none will be molested in trading, religious
VI pTlNcloScS, anu udtlfo Cl'li
tary officers will be retained so long as they re-
main loyal, but will be punished if they NAL
treat Englishmen. District officers are ordered
to disregard orders from Mandalay, as The
baw will never be king again. General Prem
dergast has arrived at Thyetmayoo.
A Brief History of King Thebaw.
1t is all indisputable fact that Thebaw, whose
name has been so unpleasantly famous-or in
famous-owed his position entirely to the chief
Queen. His father, Moung Lohn, was ex-
ceedngy pious Buddhist and enjoyed the reputa-
tion of being more learned in the Pail tcxts than
any monk in the country He rejoiced more in
his title of Convener of the Fifth Great Synod
than in any of the other high sounding names
which appertain to the lord of the Golden
Throne. The Thebaw Prince was, during all his
early youth, under a cloud. His mother had
been reegated to convent for misbehavior and
there were serious doubts as to the boys legit-
imacy. But after his two years in the English
mission school at Mandaly, Thebaw went into
Buddhist monastery, and in due time came up
for examination in the sacred books he passed
with very great credit the test as Patama Byan,
qualifying him for admission a full-robed
brother of the sacred order. This secured
for him the attention of his father,
and thenceforward the Prince ascetic
was great favorte in the palace. But still he
was not designated the successor. On his
death bed the King named the Nyourg Van
Prince, also pious man and we'll versed in the
holy books, and it was even then considerable
surprise to the surrounding Ministers when he
added that the Thebaw Prince should be heir
apparent, "dweler in the Eastern House." But
now came in palace intrigue. 1t was we'll known
that the young Prince, in spite OF his yellow
>sl.1 1,lI -
to be deeply in love with his half sister and that
her younger sister, afterwards chief Queen, was
equally fond of him. Their mother, an exceed
ingly ambitious woman, determined to climb
into power as Queen Dowager by their means.
She therefore unfolded her plans TO the most
powerful among the Ministers, and soon ob.
tanned their support The whole weight of min
isterial authority was thrown in for Thebaw,
and what resulted is matter of history. All the
elder princes were seized and locked up with
the exception of the Nyoung Van and his brother,
who sought sanctuary in the British Residency,
and eventually got away in safety.
Thebaw was consecrated King, but he was
crossed in love- The elder sister, Saln 500
Payah, declined to marry him. and carried her
objections so far that she cut off her hair and
took refuge in a nunnery. The new King there
fore contented himself with the younger sister,
the Soo-Payah-Lat. That young lady very
speedily asserted her authority. The burmese
persstently assert that she was the instigator Of
the massacre, and that she makes her position
secure by fostering the Kings taste for strong
drink Her supremacy was made patent by the
fact that she remained sole Queen. The usual
rule is that there are four chief queens-those
of the South, North. East and West palaces,
ranking in that order-but Thebaw was kept
the husband of one wife. II cannot he said that
this was due to inclination on his part. There
are many terrible stories OF the fate of palace
maidens on whom the King had looked too
fondly Tales of red-hot needles thrust under
the fnger-nails suspension by the ankles with
heavy weights tied around the neck, and
so on, effectualy deferred the maids OF
honor from aspiring to the royal favor.
The 500 Payah-Lat's first child was san