Evening star., 1955-11-27

the SeparatlStlc movements Ol
the Karens and the Mons.
These are members of the
Union of Burma, but differ in
race, language and customs.
Applying the same methods as
the Communists without
sympathizing with them, how
eyer-they demand more au-
tonomy or even independence
for their region. Their forces
are about 1000 strong.
The third group is manned
by the PVO, the Peoples
Voluntary Organization. They
once trained themselves in
order to fight the British and
establish an independent
Burma, Many Of the present
leaders of Burma belonged to
the group. The British left in
peace. but the leaders of the
! PVO disagreed on how to run
the country. The disappointed
members went underground
and still try to overthrow the
present government.
Unfortunately there are still
some Nationalist Chinese SOL
diers, who continue their
fighting life without any un-
derstandable reason in South
east Burma. In spite of re-
peated appeals to the Ma
tionalist Chinese government,
the remaining soldiers are not
willing to recognize any au-
thority.
It Is estimated that about
one third of Burma is not con-
trolled by the government at
Rangoon. The various groups
not only make the country un-
safe, but also control whole
cities. impose taxes, etc. In a
situation like this 1t is hard
to obtain exact information.
But there are probably 10000
insurgents against a national
army of $4,000.
The Burmese government Of
course tries to gain control of
the situation. However. 1t
cannot even be sure of its own
army. Soldiers sometimes
change sides or trade their
arms. Climatic and physical
conditions make an organized
fight difficult. During the
heavy rains of the monsoon
season for instance, activities
are usually stopped on both
sides.
Yet, the average Burmese
seems to be untroubled by it
ala testimonial to the
Buddhist philosophy Of q
balanced mind.
Moloyon Terrorists
Whereas in Burma insurgent
activities are aimed at the ma
tional government, terrorism
in Malaga is an entirely diff
ferent matter. Malay terrorists
are convinced Communists
who pretend to fight for
liberation from colonial rule.
They usually attack white peo-
pie and rich Chinese mer-
chants. But plain, old
fashioned terrorism also occurs:
plantation workers have been
attacked, and even children
have been slaughtered.
The 5000 Malay Communists
mostly Chinese by race-are
well organized. united and
fanatic. The British apply all
means of modern warfare
against them. The jungles are
being watched from helicop-
ters; battle ships fire at coastal
hide-outs. The main program
of the British is to starve the
bandits.
The British practically have
succeeded in pushing them back
into the jungles where they
cannot find food. TRAFFIC on
the highways is controlled
strictly. In certain areas no.
body is allowed to carry even
a sandwich. Storekeepers are
not authorized to have more
than two weeks provisions.
Sales have to be registered. and
cans have to be opened when
sold.
civilions Blockmoiled
The Communists use black
mail on civilian Chinese in
order to obtain provisions. Is
olated farmers, who used to
cultivate small pieces of land
scattered in the jungle, have
been removed and settled in
new villages. At night these
villages are tightly closed and
constantly controlled by search
lights. Naturally the inhabi-
tants are not too happy about
these measures.
Incidents, however, occur less
frequently, and 1t is quite safe
to travel on the main highways
during the day. Yet the situa-
tion is far from normal. The
terrorists, a crowd of bandits
in the beginning. take more
and more the form Of a regu-
lar army. Their arms and
equipment are modern. The
source is not too hard to guess.
According to official statis-
tics, there were 5000 terrorists
at the beginning Of the emer-
gency in I949, Five thousand
have been killed by the British
forces. Yet there are still 5000
terrorists in Malaga. Recent
reports reveal that the losses