Blandford Weekly News. — 1886-03-13 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

PROCLAMATION AGAINST DACOITY. The following proclamation has been issued by Mr. Bernard. The merciful polMy announced in it will certainly have a most beneficial effect in Upper Burnish. The insurgents and dacoits brave hitherto been induced to continue their resistance by fear of being executed if they surrendered : 'Under the orders of his Excellency the Viceroy and GovernorGeneral of India it is hereby notified that the country of Upper Burmah has been permanently added to the dominions of her Majesty the Queen-Empress, and will henceforth be under the direct control of British officers. No Burmese prince will ever again rule in Bormah. The Queen-Empress of India is sovereign throughout the whole country, and all the people of Burmah are now her Majesty's subjects. The welfare of the inhabitants id the whole of Burnish is now a matter of solicitude to the British Government—a strong and powerful Government, which will respect the customs, rights, privileges, and religious institutions of all classes, and will effectually provide for the protection of life and property in this c.uniry, as in othi r parts of the empire. All priests, officials, and private persons who loyally accept British rule, and who aseist the officers appointed by the Viceroy, will receive support and encou:agement ; and all good service done for the British Government will be duly recognized and rewarded. It is the firm intention of the Government to trample out dacoity, rebellion, and all crimes of violence at any cost. At the same time, it is not the desire of the Government that persons who have been misled by evil advisers should have no opportunity of forsaking a career of crime, and becoming peaceable citizens. All persons who are still opposing tie. British Government are hereby called upon to come in and-lay down their arms, and return to a life of order and industry. As an act of special grace and favour, under the authority of his Excellency the Viceroy, all persons who have taken up arms against the Government in Upper Burmah are assured that if they voluntarily surrend,r themselves to any British officer, before the 30th of June, 1886, their lives will be spared, and they will be treated with such leniency as their case permits. The only exceptions to this offer of amnesty are the persons who were engaged in, or instigated, the murders of Messrs. Allen, Roberts, and Moncur at Mingin, and of Mr. Gray at Zyibin. Save in the case at notorious leaders of dacoits, • free pardon for all offences against the State committed before the issue of this proclamation will be granted to any person who voluntarily surrenders himself Wore that date. All rebels and dacoits are hereby solemnly warned that, if they do not avail themselves of the clemency now offered, they will be pursued and dealt with according to law. The friends and relatives of persons suffering imprisonment for dacoity and rebellion are invited to co-operate with the authorities in restoring order. When disturbance shall have ceased, deceits and rebels now in prison may Look for some mitigation of their punishment. As long as disturbances continue, no hope of release can be held out to them."