New-York tribune., 1886-01-10
D1COITY.


Dacoity, which is just now troubling the
English in Upper Burmab, and threatening to
give formidable support to the pretensions of
the two Alompra princes who have taken the
field is a sort of Asiatic institution correspond
ing in some degree to the organized brigandage
which harried Europe at intervals during the
Middle Ages. 1t is, in effect, gangrObbery
Dacoits are thieves who steal in bodies. The
persistence of the evil, which has always been
the first to confront the British cOnqucrOrs in
every newly, annexed province of India, is due
to several causes. One of these is the juxta-
position of passive and aggressive races. The
former encourage the violence and injustice of
the latter. Another cause is the manner IN
which the dacoits utilize the sefshDess of their
neighbors. village is never radcd by its
own thieves. They respect the property OF the
people among whom they reside, and their
neighbOrs in return ignore their ncLarious pro-
ceedings In other directions. Then again
dacoity il always liable to become mixed with
politics or conspiracy. In Bengal few years
ago the Government was engaged for six
months trying to put down large band OF
dacoits who had espoused the cause of
Brahman cOnspirator.
In Eastern countries where the native gov
crnme0t always sets the example OF brigandage,
it is not to be expected that such business in
wolves disgrace. The dacoits have not indeed,
like the extinct Thugs, a special divinity, though
they too might not inconsistency pay homage
to the fierce goddess Kali for if they do not
make bloodshed main purpose of their lives,
they certainly have no scrupes about the slit
ting of thrOats when their own safety seems to
demand such extreme measures. Just as piracy
in China is compatible with the maintenance of
a good social position however dacOty in
India is compatible with outward decorum, and
as the people there are scrupulOusly careful not
to inquire curiousy concerning the nocturnal
occupations of their nelghborS, n respectable
person who occupies Il stall in tho bazaar all
day may be engaged in dacoity all night. The
curious way in which gang robbery is regarded
in the East is shown in tho fact, recently
brought to light, that one of tho late King
Thebaw's Ministers had for some time before
the British invasion been selling licenses to
commit highway robbery.
In effect this was probably merely to increase
the number of Government officials somew hat
rregularly. In Thebaws dominion the people
were accustomed to be plundcrvd, and would
scarcely draw distinction between dacoty
I
In the Orient moreover, the harred house,
holder or farmer always considers that at the
worst dacoity is open TO him also. No doubt
the sudden increase OF the business in Burmah
is due in some degree to the anarchy and n-
security following the dsbandment of the
native armies. The soldier in barbarous
countries is never far removed from the
brigand, and easily reverts. The Burmah
dacoits become seriously troublesome in pro-
portion as they represent political purposes.
| At this moment they are ailOrding a material
basis to the ambition of the Alompra princes,
! though as there are two of these claimants the
probability is that they will defeat one another
even if the British do not overthrow them both.
When dacoity Is put down in the more thickly
settled regions it always retreats to the hilly
frontier country. There among the Shans and
Kachycns the Burmese gang-rObbers will pIob-
ably maintain an irregular warfare for some
time to come.