WHAT PRECIPITATED THE MANIPUR DISASTER.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1816, 29 July 1891, Page 6

WHAT PRECIPITATED THE MANIPUR DISASTER.

It appears that on Sunday, March 15, Lieutenant Gurdon reached the Residency at Manipur, and closely questioned Mr Grimwood as to the condition of affairs, without, however, in any way enlightening him us to the object of Mr Quin ton's mission, even the telegrams which subsequently passed between the lieutenant and the Chief Commissioner being worded in Italian. Lieutenint Gurdon left Manipur to rejoin Mr Qjinton on Tuesday, and on the following Friday, March 20, Mr Grimwood went out to Sungmai to meet the mission, when be was informed in strict confidence that it had been decided to arrest the Jubraj in open durbar and deport him to India, Mr Grimwood himself being required to carry out the arrest. Mr Qainton, with his escort, reached the capital on Sunday morning, and the durbar was ordered for noon. Mrs Grimwood begged Mr Qainton not to compel her husband to effect the arrest of the Jubraj, as he had always been bo friendly, and earnestly besought the Chief Commissioner to appoint someone else. Mr QaintoD, however, refused, stating that it was Mr Grim wood's duty. Replying to Mrs Grimwood's question as to the reason of the arrest, Mr Quioton declared that the 'Government could not allow anyone except themselves to make or unmake Maharajahs. At the hour appointed the Maharajah, the Jubraj, and the Sempati arrived at the Residency, but the durbar was delayed for two arid a-half hours, the translations of the document announcing the decision of the Government not being completed. The presence of the strong guard aroused the t>uspicions of the princes, however, and the Jubraj and Senapati slipped away. Mr Quinton steadily refused to see the Maharajah in the absence of the Jubraj, who alleged ill-health as the reason for bis departure. Eventually the durbar was postponed till eight o'clock on Monday morning, and then till noon. The Jubraj continuing to make excuses for his non-attendance, Mr Quinton at four in the afternoon sent Mr Grimwood to inform him of the decision of the Governorient. Mr Grimwood remained at the palace for three hours endeavoring to persuade the Jubraj to surrender himself, but he as persistently declined, protesting that he had done nothing to deserve banishment. On Tuesday, March 24, the Jubraj's palace was stormed, but the prince was not found. At noon the Residency was attacked by the Manipuri3, and at half-past three the troops holding the palace were withdrawn. Shortly afterwards guns were brought to bear upon the Residency, and Mr Grimwood urged that the British should retire to the heights a mile and a • half distant until reinforcements arrived, arguing that the fact of the telegraph wires being cut would warn those at the other end that something untoward had occurred. He further pointed out that if cannon were brought the Residency would easily be rushed and captured by the Manipuris. Mr Quinton wanted to obtain terms, and Mr Grimwcod was sens to parley with the Jubraj, who, however, refused to treat with anyone except Mr Quinton himself. The latter, with Colonel Skene, Mr Grimwood, Lieutenant SimpsoD, and Mr Cossins, then went forth to meet his doom under the circumstances which have already been described. No blame is to be attached to Mr Grimwood, who had already enjoyed the friendship and confidence of the Jubraj, and was thoroughly well informed as to the position of affairs in Manipur.