Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-01-16
Burmu as Portent


The course Of events in Burma is being
closely watched, not only for its effect on
Burma itself but even more as an indica-
ton of what may be expected when q
politically immature Oriental people sud
denly gains complete control Of its own
affairs.
1t is just over year since Burma cut
loose from the British Commonwealth and
set itself up as an independent and SOW
ereign nation. The severance was ami
cable. Britain made no objection to the
atmosphere Of mutual good feeling
treaty was signed under which Burma
obtained British technical aid and advice,
while Britain's large commercial and in
vestsnent interests in Burma were given
assurances Of fair treatment.
Burma thus started its new national
existence under seemingly bright pros
poets. Despite handicaps Of damage and
Reorganization suffered under the Japa-
nese occupation, there appeared to be no
inherent reason why Burma should not
quickly recover the prosperity it had
enjoyed under British rule. Burma is
land of rich and varied natural resources
These the British had efficiently developed
until Burma became a major exporter of
rice teakWood oil, and a number OF metals,
including tin, lead and zinc. Those
exports, in turn, made possible heavy i'm
ports, especially of western machinery
wherewith further to build up and mod
erniZe its economic life.
Unfortunately, none of these fair pros
poets has been realized. A single year Of
independence has resulted in utter confu-
sion, economic paralysis, complex civil
strife, and profound dissensions portend-
ing internal disruption and eventual
chaos
There are several reasons for this de-
plorable situation. To begin with, Burma
has no tradition of self-government in
anything remotely connected with the
democratic sense of the term. Some CEN
turtles ago there was a powerful Burmese
state. But it was a typical Oriental des-
potism which fell apart into warning
principalities. These were, successfully
subjected to British rule that became
complete in 1886. This historic Burma
was not national entity. The true
Burmese, though the dominant and most
numerous element, are confined largely
to the heart Of the country - the rich
plains and valleys drained by the great
river Irrawaddy and its tributaries. Around
this central basin are border regions Of
hills and mountains inhabited by peoples
alien to the Burmese in blood, speech, cul-
ture and religion. The British respected
their Identities, leaving them local self
government under their tribal chiefs tenn
pered by the authority of British Residents
Since independence, the relations between
these peoples and the Burmese have be-
come increasingly strained, eliminating In
revolts and movements for separation
from Burma itself
As for the Burmese, they have split into
several factions led by ambitious politi-
clans eager for power and perquisites.
There are two Communist groups which
seek to foment violent revolution, but the
trouble goes deeper than that. The ablest
and most moderate leaders at the time
OF independence have been either aSsassi-
mated or driven from office The present
government is dominated by Socialists who
aim to nationalize all foreign holdings.
This inhibits foreign aid for economic
reconstruction, while needed imports are
kept out by the dwindling export trade
The upshot is economic paralysis which
tends to get worse, with grave attendant
political and social consequences.
Except for the ruling politicians and
their henchmen, it Is hard to see how any
one profits by the existing situation. The
mass of the Burmese people are worse
of, neighboring Asiatic countries are de-
prived Of rice and other Burmese products
on which they depended, while the whole
world is penalized by loss Of Burmese oil
and metals.