THE ADVANCE ON BURMAH. Success of the Expeditionary Force.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 133, 19 December 1885, Page 3

THE ADVANCE ON BURMAH. Success of the Expeditionary Force.

The reply of King Theebaw, of Burmah, to the British ultimatum was hostile and inadequate. In response to the British demand for the control of Burmah's foreign relations, King Theebaw said that he must first consult Germany, France and Italy. The British expedion ary i "force was then ordered to cross the frontier with the least possible dei lay. Four regiments immediately started Upon the Jrrawaddy River on steamers. The Hrrawaddy, the most heavily armed vessel' in the British navy for her draft- 5£ feet— proceeded in advance, and will go up the river as far as Bham. She takes up some torpedoes, and a large aupplywOf gun cotton and neoeesaryrappliances for the re--movali'of obstructions in: the bad of the river. She is accompanied by two armed

is vdrVdlnicult, owing Ho tße^p^tt|t| ohanges in the^channel. Vessel||runningj between Rangoon and Mandalag.chanttM: ,pilotB;>47 timjpa- J ' Momgo JSSSy pilots, moat of whom are Chittagonjgftig|^; abd can be relied on t6 aid 7 the e^itfon^

Formal Declaration »<©f -' Vfwr J by •,j , „..jj Theebawi Advices receLved at Rangoon on November 12th frdm.Mandalay stated that the Burr mese haddetained the steamer wbienwM?. sent to Mandalayr to 'bring away the Europeans, and,, threatened to^bunf f her iTue ; attempted to leave. Foreigners ,we|e; not. allowed to leave.? The British expeditionary:, force,<under General Prendergaet,comprw«a. 45 steamers* flats and floating batteriM,,. the latter being fitted out from e&ptthcK largest barges. Each oi theflo^ting batteries carries two 60 pounder howitzers and is attended by armed -launches. < Twelve 25pounder siege gunß are mounted oh the steamers. The force numbers, 10,000 men, 7000 camp followers, 500 mules and 2 elephant batteries. < . ,> • . King Theebaw issued- a prpclamatiop de£ clarrng that he will not accept^he absurd propositions of the Indian' G6yernment» and therefore declaring w.ar. He promised to personally lead his troopsandcalled upon his subjects to fight for the defence of their country and religion. Europeans were not to be molested until the invaders crossed the frontier, when all were to, be slain. Many; European^ tyere leavings ,Mandalay unhindered. The Italian Consul remained. King Theebaw.'s Navy Captured. Armed steam launches froni the British steamers Kathleen and- lrrawaddy captured King Theebaw's war vessel. The capture' was effected under the guns of Clutterbuck Fort, after a sharp fight. One of British officers was woupaed., V According to another King Theebaw's man-of-war w'a'9* Raptured opposite Fort Simbourgwfeh, after I '- a sharp encoanter. with that fortification. The launches from the Bteamer Vog'^are said to have taken part in the affair, - - ■

Capture of Jtflnihla. London, November 18.— The British forces in Burmah have carried the forts in the vicinity of Minihla, and captured the city after three hours' firing from the floating batteries, and armed launches and heavy guns on board the steamers. The British lost four men killed and twenty-seven wounded. As Minihla was the most strongly fortified position on the river, by its capture the way is cleared for the British advance to Mandalay, as the forts at Ava, twelve miles from the Burmese capital, are only slight structures compared with those at Minihla. General Prendargasfc has BtroDgly garrisoned the town of Minihla. Some British e hell b accidentally set fire to the town of Minihla, and it was destroyed.

The Capture of Magive. Rangoon, Nov. 21. — The British expeditionary force has captured Magive, a town of Burmah, on the left bank of the lrrawaddy river, thirty-five miles above Prome, having a population of about 10,000. Among the prisoners taken were three Italian officers serving in the Burmese Army. General Prendergast is now at Membo. He states that fighting is expected at Sagaing. [The capture of the capital Mandalay has already been cabled.]