Arrains in Upper Burma seem approaching a otis Theebaw oontinues his massacres, and, us if bent on forcing the British Government to interfere, that is to depose him, he has either made or had agreed, at the date of last advices, to make, a treaty with France. By this treaty be is understood to have banded over the protection of the districts about Bhaimo to the French, who in retarn will allow lim fall liberty to import arms thro Tongnin, The treaty also contains offensive and defensive clauses of friendship between Theebaw and France; and an Upper Parma Aubas is, This treaty, and the condition of affairs in Upper Parma and the Bhamo country, has caused the Indian Government to send Admiral Hewett with an escort to Man. delay in order to remonstrate with Theebaw, and it is thought that hig instractions are of such a natare that when their tenor is made known to the King they may make him somewhat reasonable. In the Iuand defensive alliance with the British di papers received by Inst mail the Government, Truly the situation here feeling seems to be in favour of becomes almostdramatio, Not very runny the prompt deposition of Theebaw years ago, Mr, Gladstone expended all which indeed should have been effected hie energy and genius in denouncing, some years ago. But annexation is the unspeakable Tark—to use Carlyle's either coldly accepted as a neces phrase—and recording hie personal or disapproved, because th opinion that the whole Turkish nation of Upper Burma would bring our tershould be turned bag and baggage out of ritory conterminous with China, and Barope.
Hie friendship for Rossia la! the old theory of the desirability of a traditionary—indeed, proverbial; and, State to act as a baffer is still clang apart feom politics, it may be said that to.
Bat what is going on in Tonquin the Premier and the Czar are on terme and Siam should make the Indian of personal amity and confidence. Yet Government take possession of Upper to-day we find Mr. Gladstone compelled, Burma at once, leaving King Theebaw by the holy tradition of Russia, in to repair to Paris and seck consolation hented we suppose from Peter the from the Republic.
The policy which Great, to assume a hostile front; while finds most favour with the Indian press is prompt action and the removal of ''heehaw from power, and pli cing on his throne the young Mein. goon Prince, It is evident that strong measures mast be taken without delay, or, besides the anarchy which is spreading in the country, serious corns plications elsewhere may arise, as the French Government seem to be determined to bring the uttermost parts of the earth under their power, Not only is Souther: Asia beneficently, vited to accept French protection, but recent advices from Paris inform as that a black person, representing himself as a potentate in Timbuctoo, who is said to have negotiated a treaty of the usual kind with a French agent, was in the capital, and had been received by Ministers and welcomed by soviety as a uew protected ally of France, The Meingoon Prince referred to above is now a fugitive from Theebaw's tyranny and is living in Pondicherry; and an Indian cone temporary says it would be a singular repetition of the Afghan policy were our selection to fall on hiw, as Abdul Rahmau was a pensioner in the hands of Rassia until a short time before the offer of the throne of Afghanistan w made lo him by the British Gover ment. "Just as France is coming into contact with our Eastern frontier and threatens to imitate the aggressive attitude of Russia on our North. west, we," it goes on to say, "And the most eligible pretender to the tottering Burmese throne a fugitive dwelling under French protection, and an instrament ready to hand for the furtherance of French intereste in the Indo-Chinese Peninsula, But the success of the Afghuu experiment seems to be the only good omen in the situ tion." To huve enjoyed French pro tection for abouts year or more seems strange preliminary to being selected by English opinion in Indi the successor of a King whose intriguing with Franco is likely to cost him his throne. Possibly the idea of making the Prince ruler of Upper Burma has not beau entertained by the Viceroy or the Home Government. The Pioneer, which is usually a well informed paper, and is understood to be often inspired by Indian officials, advocates the same course, which is also supported by public opinion in British Burma, The Chairman of the Ravgoon Chamber of Commerce in a letter addressed to the Chief Commissioner states very plainly what would be the result of the French obtaining a fooling in Upper Burma. England would of course be excluded from the commerce of the Kingdom, and the footing obtained by France would be sooner or later used to absorb Ava into the French easter possessions would mean the die verting of its trades from British to French: ports, and the alienation of the trade of Burma and the Shan States into French channels. This would be a serious matter for British manufacturers and merchants, and would put an end to
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.