1. C., 1. Lepper, who has been for some past engaged in. attempting to open jo route between India and China, ed some useful information to of Bengal regarding ambi country on north-eastern frontier. The follow summary of his report appears in a Cal-cutty paper Hob ho has been able to trace all the clans and tribes between the frontier and China, and it is satisfactory to learn that t m are described as One tribe, the worst, are bel towards Europeans, though frequently engaged in hostilities amongst themeely The clan of Kumptis, who inhabit the busin between the Num Long and the Nam Kin, have a greater respest for Burniah that for India, and imagine Burmah to be the They send presenta to Burmese kings, an to pass through British territory to do so. It would, however, be easy to entirely ignore this tribe in opening up @ route to China by are an independent people, who had become split up into two great divisions, and form assort of neutral ground between Assam and Chin y Pay tribute neither to China nor Burmah. Mr, Lepper informs us that all these tracts, "especially towards the south and south: west, and those in the further west of our frontier station Sadiys, are extremely rich in the precious metals and the amber mines of Hongkong, on a few days' journey from our frontier, are famous." Serpentine, jade, these tracts in no insignificant quantities, This seems to point very distinctly to the easy opening of trade communications with China on this neutral ground, seeing the Singphos would welcome us gladly if properly treated in the first instance, 'I'he actual distance of 1a from. the north. est frontier of British territory is much lees than may be generally supposed. Taking our extreme point at about 70 mi east of Sadiya, Mr. Lepper is of opinion that we cabot be more than 80 miles from the limit where Chinese influence begins to be felt, or where their "outer line" must be. If these calculations are ud the reported friendly feeling Sinphos is to be relied on, the of trade with China would not be a involving much danger. There can be little doubt, however, that caravans entering such a country at present would subjected at every stage to the payment of heavy taxes, which would lave little or no room for profit on the Mr. Lepper ho) other opposition entering into friendly relations with th headmen of each district along the proposed route; and although such ® policy as to keep Russia in constant anticipation of hostilities, and thereby strained her resources most in-juncusly. The rulers of China begin to understand the advantages of Western organisation and discipline, and find thet in Vast po in future they will endeavour to moot their enemies on other than Chinese sell. They have to reckon up with Russia, France, and England for defeat, plunder, and humiliation; and it is as well for the Governments of these country the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.