New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-19

foreign competition into the country. ThiS
alien element Is increasing at a rapid rate, ana
VIII continue to do so: for the conversion oI
the present deficit in the revenues OF the coun-
try into healthy surplus depends very largely
on the promptitude with which agrculturists
can be found to take up the numerous acres
OF rich land which are lying waste IN dinerenS
parts or the province. Immigration-tne ohIy
speedy method of bringing about the desired re-
Suits now engaging the attention OF the GOV.
eminent Of India, and is likely to meet with
every encouragement at their hands. Compe-
tluon In all branches Of trade must In the
course or the next few years receive great
LOT the corers OF the Indian Government ana
Ior tne empire at large. Is certain to tell heavily
T TSs tne ndolent and lehargic Burman:
d ime PROBABILITY OF his being able to hold his
OWN Is small His descent In the scale OF life
Is practically inevitable while the exceptional
1reedom enjoyed by the women in their choice
81 ~ nusDa , which reference has already
been made--combined with the total absence OF
caste prejudces or restrictions in the matter Of
marriage with foreigners must prove a power
1ul factor In Fastening the ultimate disappear.
ahce OF the purely Burmese race
MONEY AND MNTRIMoNy.
For years past the Burman has derived all the
pleasure out OF life that state OF semi-civiliza-
tion can OFFER while his wife-in reality little
better than a slave-has been compelled to toll
for him and to do work with her hands that
nature intended should fall to the mans share.
have been conducive to the development of strong
passion for material prosperity; and in the Bur-
mese women of the present day the hankering
after gold-that passport to life of ease-is
abnormally great. One OF the immediate conse.
quences of this is that in the choice of hus-
bands mercenary motives prevail; mere money
value carries great weight; and as the average
Burmese girl is without prejudice of race or
fhn
best endowed with the goods Of this world.
Aliens are now settling in all parts of the
country, and as they are almost invariably bet
ter able to maintain their wives than Burmans
OF the same class 1t very frequently happens
that Burmese suitors ares quietly discarded
When any or the former enter the field against
them. These aliens, their part are quito
awe 10 the value of Burmese women and
nave SHOWN themselves very ready to seek them
III marriage. III Is true that this is with them
more or less case Of Hcbsons choice Emil
grants. whether from India or China are very
rarely accompanied by their wives, and as, in
consequence, the number Of alien women I'm the
country is not large, the choice of wives is
practically limited to women Of Burmese or at
any rate, OF partly Burmese nationality Mixed
marriages have become exceedingly numerous
ana the women OF Burmah are beginning to
recognize the fact that, besides being more pros
porous, these aliens treat them with far greater
kindness and consideration than do the men Of
tnelr own race-a discovery which OF itself
must tend TO Increase the number OF such mar
riases. The Burman knows these influences IN r
De at work. He sees the best and farest Of his.
women become the happy and contented brides
OF enterprisng foreigners, but he is far too
indolent TO make an effort to hold his own and
avert the extinction Of his race Thus the dir
hculty Of obtaining suitable partners Of nur.
descent for his children must grow greater each
year, and only time is required for the pure
thurman to disappear altogether. and for his
pace pace TO De taken by race in whose veins the
blood OF the Chinaman and Of the native Of
India will mingle with his own