Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1886-03-27 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

ARMS FOR BURMAH FROM AN ENGLISH  FIRM.  A Rangoon correspondent says- that a good deal of surprise has been felt at the abundant supply of Fins and ammunition possessed by the insurgents in Upper Burmah. The importation of arms and ammunition into Upper Burmah was forbidden by treaty; and the loeal government exercised a strict supervision at the frontier stations to prevent munitions of war being imported into Thiban's late dominions. Except through the English provinces it was almost impossible for arms to reach Upper Burmah. The correepondent then goes on to state that since the capture of Mandalay some interesting disooveries have been made as to the sources whence arms and ammunition were obtained by the Burmese, and the methods adopted to pass them over the frontier. The following lettes, which was found in the palace after its capture, has been placed at the oorrespondent's disposal by the local government. The writers, he says, are a firm dating from one of the principal commercial thoroughfares in London, and who describe themselves as " Government contractors." Notwithstanding their somewhat gushing reference to "our beloved Queen Victoria," they do not appear to have considered it inconsistent with their duty as loyal subjects to supply artillery, in defiance of treaty stipulations, to a Power with whom at the time England was on the verge of war, and to suggest means by which the supervision of the local government might be baffled and the guns smuggled over the frontier.. Had the Burmese possessed the battery of Whitworth guns which this firm offered to supply, the late expedition bo Mandalay would certainly have been attended with heavy loss of life to our troops: " Lon, don„ September 34 1385. Dear Sir,—We now confirm our letter of the 24th inst., re arms, as enclosed copy, and send you herewith an offer tosupply a battery of six new powerful Whitworth 9pounder breechloading guns, mounted on Argentine Government pattern field-carriages, which after receipt of credit here for payment we could also ship to your order to Rangoon, and we would make the axles of the carriages to unship, so that the carriages would not be conspicuous as artillery. The guns we might ship from Liverpool by one steamer, and the carriages and ammunition by different steamers, and, perhaps, you could get these up to Mandalay by your King's steamers. Referring to our letters of the 18th of July and the 3rd of October, 1884, to your Excellencies at Paris, as to interviewing our beloved Queen Victoria,when we informed you that the feeling of our Queen and Government was most friendly towards your country, we hope that your King is making friendly international arrangements with the Viceroy of India,and that we shall soon have the pleasure of welcoming your Excellencies here with a complimentary letter from King Thiban to Victoria, and also with the order for Messrs. William Denny and Brothers for a further supply of steamers. Once you are in friendly relations with. our Indian Government as to commercial treaties, your country would settle down and speedily develop its resources to the great advantage of your King and his subjects. If you are coming to London and will let us know what apartments you require beforehand, we shall be happy to look out a comfortable and suitable abode for your Excellencies. We are your obedient servants,—His Excellency Woon Douktaw Thangiet Woon Mtn, Klottaw, Mandalay."  Major Clayton, the chief constable of Carnarvonshire, died on Friday after a brief illnes. A telegram from Beauvais adds another to the many terrible crimes that have been committed in France lately. A farmer named Breton and his wife, both old people, were found murdered in th-ir hcese, their heads being nearly severed from the bodies. The house was ranaacked, and all the money and valuables were stolen.  Mrs. Anderson, the wife of a farm servant, near Glasgow, some time ago sent Mr. Gladstone a pair of woollen socks, knitted by herself. Mr. Gladstone has written saying he has received the socks, and thanking her for fulfilling the kind promise she made when he unveiled the Edinburgh market cross. Mr. Gladstone adds that he remembered her promise well.