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Arakan: - One Who Preserves and Takes Care of Their Own Nationality. |
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Publication by Arakan Action Association (AAA.) |
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Arakan Past – Present – Future |
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BY JOHN OGILVY HAY, J.P. |
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Arakan Library was founded by a group of Arakan Action Association (AAA) in exile in Thailand from Burma in 2007 doing to voice for the knowledge, the people democratic and human rights.
Copyright © 2007 Arakan Libray All Rights Reserved. Free counter, Since 2005.
Arakan Action Association (AAA) Chotana Road , Chaing Mai ( 50301 ), Thailand. Email : arakanactionassociation@walla.com , +66—089-637-4383, +66—053-409-577 |
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Letter to an Indian Official 13th Feb. 1889. With reference to our conversation some time ago as to a connection between Arakan and Upper Burmah, I submit a letter which I purpose sending to the India Office. If, as I understood you, you seemed to think there were two objections to my proposals – first, that it would go throgh the Chin country, where the surveyors and constructors or the road, and the settlers on the grant, would require a regiment at their backs to protect them; and, second, that the Government had already had anything but a satisfactory experience of capitalists from home going into certain “uncertain” operations, instancing the Mutlah railway, and some of the canals and irrigation works in Orissa, and other districts in the Madras Presidency, - you at the same time admitted the wonderful effect that would be produced on the country and its wanderful effect that would be produced on the country and its wandering tribes by the railway which would be forced through – I say forced through, as certainly one from Arakan to Upper Burmah would be. I take this view of it. Doubtless, at the present moment surveyours and others would require some protection; but, by conciliatory measures, I believe the tribes would soon see the benefits of intercourse with us, and see it to be their advantage to assist us, being remunerated for their labour, and before long be civilised, and settle quietly down to cultivate the land more regularly than at present, the produce of which would, by the railway, find an outlet and market. (An officer who was long in the Arakan hill tracts, and had a good deal of intercourse with the tribes occupying the route proposed to be explored, lately wrote me, “There would be no bother with the hill tribes.”) How much land is at present perfectly waste and useless; and when, without some extraordinary exertions, is this likely to be utilised? Then as to the extent of grant, the Government should not play the dog in the manger. They can make no use of it themselves, and therefore the concession should be unstinted. This scheme is very distinct and exceptional – not like Sir Theodore Hope’s proposals for the Assam-Chittagong line, which are made on a known basis. He has the survey and estimates ready to work on. My proposals would be, on knowing the terms the Government would give: on that security I would form a syndicate. I cannot go to the public or to any capitalist till I know what can be offered to them. This, I truly believe, would tend more to the development of Upper Burmah and its connection with India, than any other scheme. It possible General Dicken’s or General Babbage’s routes, vid Munneepore, might be easier (Subsequent explorations, and the experience of the troops during the Chin-Lushia expedition, show this would not be the case. – 1892.) and less expensive, but more than one advantage would be found in my scheme. If there is any publication you can refer me to, either Government reports, if available, or other sources, giving any idea of the soil, or growth-trees, &c., of the country between Arakan and Burmah, I would be glad to know. I have had conversation with Mr St John, who was the first superintendent of the Arakan hill tracts, and afterwards Deputy Commissioner of Akyab also with his successor, Colonel Gwynne Hughes, but I could not learn much beyond their saying the tribes cultivated a little rice, cotton, sesamum, and tobacco. The Government expernment of tobacco cultication in Arakan has not, I think, been fortunate. The first superintendent of the plantation was rather a failure, and died before anything came of it. Perhaps the natives, if properly instructed, might get on better with this article themselves than with European interference. – I am, &c.
To the Same. 15th March 1889. Some days ago I had an acknowledgement of my letter to the Secretary of State, in which he says he will be prepared to submit to the Government of India any reasonable proposal, “accompanied by satisfactory proof of financial support.” Of course this latter can only be done in a general way till it is known what terms the Government will give to make it a tangible security. To-day I have a letter from a friend who in looking over some old papers, has come across some of my letters in 74. The copies I sent to the Secretary of State at the time will show that the views I express now are the same as then. Had these been acted on, we might have seen some further advance. However, better late than never; and if Government will only accord me facilities, I will work with a will, through now past my prime for work. – I am, &c. Letter to the Right Honourable Viscount Cross, G.C.B., Secretary of State for India. London, 14th Feb. 1889. No. 2 I had the honour to receive letter P.W. 1885 of 18th October in acknowledgment of mine of 17th September. In it I was informed that it might be possible for you at a future time to favour me with an interview. Having read with interest your late address at Oldham on the subject of the prosecution of railway works in India, I take leave to ask your attention to the subject of my previous letter – viz., railway communication in Burmah – and to make the following remarks. You expressed the hope that the increase in the export of wheat from India would be more rapid, and that India would speedily take a place before America in that article of commerce. It must be known to you as a fact that the great expansion of the railway system in America was almost entirely owing to the concessions made by the Government of that country, in the shape of grants of land, which were rapidly brought into cultivation: the railways facilitating the immigration of settlers and the transport of its produce. It cannot be denied that there was much abuse of these concessions, but this does not detract from the principle could not be advantageously applied to the country in the development of which I am more particularly interested? – all safeguards which the experiences of the American Government suggest, being taken to avoid the abuses which there prevailed. Burmah, as you are aware, is the country I refer to, and the district, the yet unexplored country between Arakan and Upper Burmah. Besides the development of the country, the effects of the exploration, survey, and settlement of that district could not but have a salutary and permanent influence on the wild tribes which are at the present time giving the Indian Government so much trouble. From the report (‘Times,’ 26th January) of your speech I learn that you expressed the hope that you would be helped in your desire to get the railways of India much further developed during your tenure of office; and that all who could would come froward with substantial help, and that you would be able to meet them on cquable terms. As it has been stated in Parliamant that “there was at present no intention of guaranteeing any more railwys in India,” (Sir John E.Gorst in Parliament, 5th March 1888.) I would respectfully ask in what way you would meet capitatists – if by grants of land, or in what other way? I am aware that offers have been sent in to Government for the construction of the surveyed line to connect Assam with the port of Chittagong, and I believe also of a line via Munneepore into Burmah. As to the former, from my knowledge of the capabilities of the port of Chittagong, and also of the port of Akyab, further to the south, I have no hesitation in asserting that if the railway reaches Chittagong it must and will be extended to Akyab, that port offering better facilities for a large amount of shipping. I have long advocated this line of connection with Assam for the development of the trade of Eastern Bengal, and in 1875 published a map drawing attention to that line, as also to the utilisation of the port of Akyab as the nearest outlet for trade from Upper Burmah, - this latter, of course, necessitating the construction of a railway to connect Arakan with Burmah. It has always been said that this would be a most difficult and expensive work, and hence cold water has been thrown on it; but nothing can positively be said on the subject without exploration and survey, the country at present being a terra incognita. That this work would have a wonderful effect cannot be doubted, and the possibility of its accomplishment deserves serious consideration. In comparing this work with that of the Assam-Chittagong line, and the terms on which it may be undertaken, the following facts should be taken account of. This latter line has been surveyed at the expense of the Government, and the probable cost has been estimated; there is already traffic ready for it to start with, as shown in a brochure lately published by the Commissioner of Chittagong; and it will through its length traverse a comparatively settled country. None of these advantages apply to the line from Akyab to Upper Burmah. This line has yet to be surveyed without any remote, far less any approximate, knowledge of the difficulties that may have to be surmounted; there is no present traffic on the route; it is through a perfectly unexplored and wild country, without any inhabitants besides the few wandering tribes to be met with. With all these drawbacks and disadvantages, I feel perfectly confident that, as it would be of incalculable benefit in settling our frontier, tending much to the development of Burmah and its connection with India, it only requires the Government to hold out liberal terms and the work will be taken in hand. When I say liberal terms, I write on the supposition that a land grant might be the only inducement offerend by Government; and seeing that the land is perfectly waste, and will continue so till doomsday without some extraordinary means are taken to open it up, Government should not restrict the extent of grant to facilitate such an important work. This work will also further the Government scheme of emigrating the surplus population of Bengal into Burmah by a less circuitous route than that proposed via Assam – a district also requiring labour – and where emigrants might be intercepted on their way to Burmah, and induced to settle. I would, in conclusion, take leave to mention that my connection with Arakan and its port of Akyab has existed for the last thirty-five years – that I had the honour to hold a commission as an honorary magistrate (of the first class) and justice of the peace for the greater paret of that time, having received it during the Chirg Commissionership of the late Sir Arthur P. Phayre (the first C.C.), and only resigned it last year, as shown by the annexed copy of letter from the Secretary to the C.C. of Burmah, dated 11th December 1888. This will explain how I feel so interested in the further development of Burmah, and particularly of the port of Akyab, the rice-trade of which I did not a little to promote, and can thus speak of its capablilities and advantages from personal knowledge. May I ask that copy of this letter may be forwarded to his Excellency the Viceroy and Governor-General of India in Council; and trusting that I may be favoured by you with an early reply, I have the honour, &c., &c. Reply. P.W. 303. India Office, Whitehall., S.W., 6th March 1889. Sir, - I am directed by the Secretary of State for India to acknowladge the receipt of your letter of the 14th ulto, stating your views with regard to railway extension in Burmah, and making inquiry as to the nature of the terms which would be granted to capitalists who might be willing to embark money in the construction of new lines. In reply, I am to acquaint you that the Secretary of State will be prepared to consult the Government of India with regard to any reasonable proposal (not involving the guarantee of interest by the State) for railway extension in Burmah that might be submitted to him, accompanied by proofs of adequate financial support; but as the terms would depend upon the particular circumstances of each case, he is unable to state more precisely what assistance would be granted to railway promoters in Burmah generally. – I am, &c., John E. Gorst. J. Ogilvy Hay, Esq. Leeter to the Under Secretary of State for India. No. 3 London, 30th March 1889. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter P.W. 303 of 6th March. At the some satisfaction had it been intimated in what direction aid might be given. I can understand that “the terms would depend upon the particular circumstances of each case;” but when it is required that proposals should be “accompanited by proofs of adequate financial support,” it must be evident that financial houses would desire to know something of the nature of the security they were likely to have before committing themselves. I am at present waiting for information I have applied for from the Department of the Interior at Washington, on receipt of which I will formulate a proposal for his lordship’s consideration Meantime, I would say that my scheme would be based…. It is with pleasure I note that a Government official, prominent in the Railway Department, is reported to have said in a public address last night “that more railways were required, and it was to be hoped private enterprise would provide what was wanted. Private enterprise would probably be encouraged by the grant of all possible facilities short of pecuniary aid. The Government thought the time had come when projects of this kind should be taken in a purely enterprising spirit.” In this spirit I bring my proposals forward, and I trust that as I have had them before Government for the last fifteen years, they will now be received with consideration, and be crowned with success. Doubtless the letters I had the honour to address to the Most Honourable the Marquis of Salisbury, then Secretary for India, under dates 18th and 27 the August 1874, are to be found in the archives of your Secretariat. I would respectfully ask your reference to the same and their accompaniments, as bearing speicially on the subject in hand, the latter also bearing on the present expedition from Chittagong against the Lushais. I would beg here to quote the following from a communication lately received from an officer of Government, whose opinion is of weight: “It is needless to say how valuable such a line (Akyab to Upper Burmah) would be to Government, but for railway traffic purposes it would be fearfully handicapped by the steep inclines on either side of the Yomas. ( A reconnaissance last year shows such is not the case – 1892. ) However, in these days, railways are constructed in countries quite as difficult physically as that through which either of your proposed connections would pass. Of course the construction of any such line of railway will be very costly.” Hence the necessity of an adequate concession to meet the requirements of any financial house of position. I need not say that the season for survey in the country in question is from about October to March, and early arrangements for operations in the coming season would save a year. Begging his lordship’s special consideration to this matter, and an early acknowledgement, - I have the honour, &c., &c. Reply. P.W. 661 India Office, Whitehall, S.W., 30th April 1889. Sir, - I am directed by the Secretary of State to acknowledge receipt of your further letter, dated 30th March 1889, on the subject of extension of railways in Burmah. In reply, I am desired to say that any detailed proposals, including that involving the grant of land, which you may desire to make in view to such extension, will receive full consideration from Viscount Cross in Council, but that it will of course be necessary for his lordship to consult the Government of India on the subject of any such proposals in the first instance. A copy of this correspondence will accordingly be forwarded to that Government. – I am &c., John E. Gorst. J. Ogilvy Hay, Esq. To a Partner in a London Financial House. 3rd April 1889. I thank you for your letter of yesterday, and feel obliged by your having placed it before -, as this settles the matter so far as they are concerned. I note that his opinion is strongly opposed to the policy of attempting to enter China by way of Burmah. He may, however, be assured that it will not only be attempted, but will be accomplished. The wedge for railways in China seems now in, and the first going in from the Burmah side will have an advantage – particularly with connections on the east side. I am still in correspondence with the Secretary of State. He (Lord Cross) in his speech at Old ham, and Sir Juland Danvers in his paper at the Society of Arts last Friday, show the anxiety of his lordship to extend railways in India – Burmah especially requires them to open it up, otherwise it will be a white elephant on their hands for years, and the scheme I would bring before them is one of which one of their chief railway officials wrote me lately: “It is needless to say how valuable such a line would be to Government. It would be costly” – hence the terms they should give should be liberal. Though I do not agree with his views or scheme, I am glad to see Mr Holt Hallett is at present in the provinces agitating the subject, which he yesterday brought before the Chamber of Commerce at Manchester. We have now got the line open to Mandalay, and it will go on to China.
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