THE BRITISH IN BURMAH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15002, 25 May 1912, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE BRITISH IN BURMAH.

How the British established law and order in Burmah has been ably described in "The Pacification of Burma," by Sir Charles Crosthwaite, who from 1887 to 1890 was its Chief Commissioner. The history of the country as a British dependency does not go far back. Indeed, in 1852 Lord Dalhousie, on behalf of the Government, expressly disclaimed any intention of conquest, provided that the recently annexed State of Pegu was not mterefered with.. Fgi .33 years, both

parties observed their obligations but in 1885 the contumacy of King Thebaw resulted in the British invasion. The whole thins took less than a month. Fortunately for us," says Sir Charles. ''the kin* and his ministers prided themselves on their voluntary army system. .King Thebaw was not going to compel his subjects to defend their country. They were told to co about their daily,tasks without fear or carefulness--. He would see to it that the foreign barbarians were driven into the sea whence they had come Infortunately, the soldiers to whom he had trusted were insufficiently trained, badly armed and equfpoed." Before any actual hostilities took place the -Ministers of State pent in their submission, and the army dispersed. The first stage in the subjugation of Burmah was complete. But much' remained to be done. The ex-mem-bers of the scattered army became centres of disaffection wherever they went. Bands of dacoits. who included both patriots and robbers, infested the country, and these had to be suppressed. It was diffisult work and dangerous. From the nature of the country only small bodies of troops could be employed, and the dacoits proved highly elusive. However, it gave the British "soldiers some valuable experience in bush fighting, and trained the subaltern after the manner described in Kipling's " Conference of the Powers." At last the country was reduced to order, by means which Sir Charles Crosthwaite describes. " I adopted the plan," he says. " of selecting a young officer known for his activity and character, and placing him in charge of the disturbed tract, giving him a sufficient police force and magisterial powers, and making him independent of the Deputy Commissioner of the district, who continued to conduct the ordinary administration. This special officer had no other duty than to hunt down and punish the gangs of outlaws. He was to be always out, and always on their tracks, using every means in his power to make friends with the villagers and induce them to give him information and help against the common enemy." In this way the pax Britannica was spread over Burmah. Gradually the military made way for the police; courts gave equal justice to all; and an efficient administration replaced the casual methods of Thebaw.