Arakan Library - Araka Past Present Future

Arakan: - One Who Preserves and Takes Care of Their Own Nationality.

Publication by Arakan Action Association (AAA.)

Arakan Past – Present – Future

BY JOHN OGILVY HAY, J.P.

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.

Arakan Action Association (AAA)

Chotana Road , Chaing Mai ( 50301 ), Thailand.

Email : arakanactionassociation@walla.com , +66—089-637-4383, +66—053-409-577

The Government are the proprietors, and surely they will not longer delay doing what must speedily increase their revenue. Have the line of railway constructed, and the land will soon be brought under cultivation, and revenue flow in. With this in prospect, why should Government stick at the question where the money comes from? To get it in the cheapest and readiest market should certainly be the interest of Government as well as the country, and we should say, therefore, that it should be at once admitted that a loan for the Arakan and Chittagong Railway should be raised in England.

Whether this should e done by Government itself or by the intervention of a company is a question, but it is one which should not take long to decide. That settled, the loan authorized, there should be nothing to prevent the survey of the line, and its construction being begun at once. We therefore hope we shall soon see our public coming forward eager for the adoption of financial policy we here indicate, and we could then look upon the line as an accomplished fact.

As regards the benefit of railways generally, and the necessity for their further extension, we would refer to the speech of Lord George Hamilton, which will be found in another column.

Lord George Hamilton on the Famine and our Future Course.

Lord George Hamilton, M.P., was present on October 5 at the Middlesex Agricultural dinner, and responded to the toast of the “Country Members.” After discoursing on the subject of the famine in India, Lord George said : -

As to the future, we must try to put in force in India gradually the same principle of local and financial responsibility to which have worked so well here. Not the least of the dangers to which famines expose India is the revival of futile and extravagant schemes for their prevention. We are now asked, Why have we not spent thirty millions more on irrigation and less on railways? The answer is obvious and conclusive. We have found, by bitter experience, that when irrigation works are built the people will not take the water during the years of plenty, and in consequence our irrigation works to not pay. If they do not by voluntary effort repay, you must either lose heavily on them annually or impose compulsory water-rates. Railways, on the other hand, are not only now paying well, but they have developed to an extraordinary extent the trade and prosperity of India, diminished our military expenditure, and it is by their agency alone we have kept people alive during the last two famines. If there had been no railways in Madras many millions of people would have died this year.

“It is not by a gigantic and unremunerative outlay that we can hope to reduce the ravages of drought. Let us pursue the course upon which the Indian Government have entered. Let us increase in every way the facilities of communication, extend the system of financial decentralization, increase the responsibility of local authorities, afford facilities to them of constructing tanks, reservoirs, and other local public works, improve by every means our system of land tenure, and rescue as far as we can our peasantry from the clutches of the money-lenders. By such means we shall store up in every locality a self-dependence and wealth during times of plenty which will enable us to meet every recurring famine with less misery to the people and less cost to the Government.”

Railways for Arakan.

‘Arakan News,’ 24^th November 1877.

We have much pleasure in calling attention to the proceedings of an influential meeting of the leading natives of Akyab held during the past week to take into consideration the necessity by means being adopted for the opening up of the country by means of roads or railways. The proceedings speak for themselves, and we hope that the inhabitants of the country, having taken up the subject, will have the perseverance to go on with it till their desired object is attained.

It will be seen that the resolutions passed at the meeting point to the necessity of the communications required, the result to be anticipated for in their construction, and the conclusion to represent these matters to the Government of India through the Chief Commissioner of British Burmah. Of course all such matters must be passed through the Commissioner of the division, and the non-allusion to this formality was the desire to condense the proceedings as much as possible, taking it for granted the usual etiquette routine would be followed. It is known that the objects the memorialists have at heart are warmly supported by Colonel Sladen, our Commissioner, who sees the prosperity of his division would be benefited by their fulfillment in a way no other means could effect. The chief Commissioner, as might have been expected, has also promised his hearty support to any practical steps for the development of this rich country, which has so long lain unproductive waiting for such a move as the present, which, well supported and energetically carried through, must prove the beginning of another era in the annals of Arakan. The first era of its prosperity under British rule was very considerable, establishing the division as a valuable item in the Imperial Budget. This new era, we anticipate, will be of far more importance, and we sincerely trust effort now made will be met by the Government in a truly liberal and enlightened spirit. (This fell to the ground for want of encouragement!)

Railway Extension in Eastern Bengal.

We noticed some weeks ago a projected meeting at Mymensing for the purpose of considering the question of raising capital for a light railway though that district. We have been anxiously looking for a report of the proceedings of that meeting, and have now the satisfaction of calling attention to them. Though not very full, the paragraph we extract from the ‘Englishman’ is full enough for our purpose. We there read that “ Mr Prestege, the agent of the Eastern Bengal Railway, was present, and on his authority the Commissioner of Dacca assured the meeting that the money for construction of the line could easily be raised in London.”

From this we conclude the people of Mymensing, though they know, and the Government also know, the advantage of having a railway as proposed, are as disinclined to give their money at 4 per cent, when they can employ it far more profitably in other business and to better account, as we, or the residents of any other district can be, where money is scarce and dear. We can confirm what the Commissioner on Mr Prestage’s assurance said, that under a guarantee of 4 per cent from Government any amount of money could be got from London for the construction of approved lines of railway in this country, and that therefore those who are now taking the initiative for the furtherance of railways in this division must be prepared to contribute towards the construction by taking up shares according to their means. They may be satisfied that the full amount can be got in England on moderate terms; they need not, therefore, exercise themselves with the phantom often exhibited by Government as a plausible excuse fro the construction of many much-desired works of utility – that there is no money for the purpose. From the first we considered it a very great mistake, and an instance of very short-sighted policy, to endeavor to construct all the lines of railway required in India from yearly allotments from surplus revenue. Where are they now? After the enormous expenditure on account of the late famine, where is the surplus revenue to be found? Railway and other recuperative works are constructed for the benefit of the country : the longer they are delayed in execution, the longer is the return in coming in; contrariwise, the sooner and quicker they are made, the earlier will Government realize an increase of revenue. Take the proposed railway from Akyab to Chittagong; should it be left till a percentage of surplus revenue can complete it, we may in all safety say it would be made within the next decade or two; ( Fifteen years have now passed and it is not made, and so far as Government shows signs, no immediate prospect of its being undertaken – 1892.) Arakan, and as such deserves the support and encouragement of all those who have at heart the prosperity of Arakan.” So think those who have taken the initiative and have formed themselves into a committee for the furtherance of the work, and it will rest entirely with the Government whether they will show that they “have at heart the prosperity of Arakan.”

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Here these collected articles end. The ravages of white ants and climatic influences have destroyed all vestiges of their continuation; but the stern fact remains, the nothing has been done, and the country remains instate quo, without roads or railways, without more than natural unassisted development – 1892.

SECOND CAMPAIGN

FOR

The Development of Arakan

Professor Sedgewick

On Public and Private Managements of Business.

“Comparison of even the existing experience of public management of business with private competitive management forces the conclusion that the latter secures an intensity of energy and vigilance, an eager inventiveness in turning new knowledge and new opportunities to account, a freedom and flexibility in adapting industrial methods to new needs and conditions, a salutary continual expurgation of indolence and unthrift, which public management cannot be expected to reveal in the present condition of social morality, and for the loss of which is cannot compensate except under specially favorable conditions.”

SECOND CAMPAIGN.

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Letter to the Most Honourable the Marquis of Salisbury.

London, 17^th Sept. 1888.

My Lord Marquis, - In 1874-75, when your lordship held the seals of the Indian Office, I took the liberty of addressing you on the Burmah-China trade-route question – a question which at one time had become stale, but now, necessarily under altered circumstances, demands prominent importance.

In one of my letters to your lordship, referring to the concentration of the trade of our Trans-Gangetic Provinces, and the trade expected from China via Mandalay, at one port on the east side of the Bay of Bengal, I said: “It may be a long look for the fulfillment of this idea, but it is one which must be followed out, and the sooner steps are taken in the direction indicated, and encouragement given to private enterprise, the sooner will the fruits be reaped.” Such fruits being the increase of revenue, and the spread of what should be the civilizing influence of our rule over the savage tribes on our borders.

That the view as to the Assam trade was correct, and that the Indian Government have been alive to its importance, is shown by the railway surveys lately carried out from Assam to Chittagong. These must ultimately be continued to Akyab, the port to which my recommendations have pointed.

Since then, the annexation of Upper Burmah has advanced the question from one of discussion to one of practical necessity. Considering its effects on the finances of our Indian empire, I doubt not the development of Burmah holds a prominent place in the eyes of Government, and I take leave to hand you a brochure bearing on the subject, respectfully asking you to give it your consideration. I also enclose copies of letters on the subject I have of this date addressed to the Right Honourable Viscount Cross, Secretary of State for India, and the Most Honourable the Marquis of Lansdowne, Viceroy of India elect.

My object has been to show the shortest route as the debowchure of trade from Trans-Gangetic India, Burmah, and China; and bearing on this, I reproduce here the following remarks from the ‘Times’ – which may have already attracted you lordship’s attention – reviewing the presidential address in the Geographical section of the British Association, at present in session at Bath: “When and so long as they [ commercial nations] have complied with the conditions upon which commerce exists, of the shortest and safest routes from the most productive grounds to the most eager markets, they have in turn been adopted as purveyors. All that commerce is inflexibly determined to exact is, that the torch shall never go out, - that it shall continually be carried forward.” As handmaid, the religion and benign influence of England must go hand in hand, and be spread.

Knowing the many pressing calls on your lordship on other important matters, I feel reluctant to trespass on you with this; but the speedy development of the resources of Burmah, which are capable of wonderful expansion, to its becoming not only a paying possession but a bright gem in the British crown, is of such importance that it will, I trust, be accepted as my apology. – With the highest respect, &c., &c.,

Acknowledgment.

Foreign Office, 22d Sept. 1888.

Dear Sir, - I am directed by the Marquis of Salisbury to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 17^th instant. In reply, his lordship desires me to express to you his sincere thanks for kindly sending him a book on Indo-Burmah-China communications. – I remain, dear sir, faithfully yours,

Sidney Greville

J. Ogilvy Hay, Esq.

Letter to the Right Honourable Viscount Cross,

Secretary of State for India.

London, 17^th Sept. 1888.

My Lord, - In 1874-75, when the Most Honourable the Marquis of Salisbury held the seals of the Indian Office, I took the liberty of communicating with him on the subject of Burmah-China trade-routes. This at one time had become a stale question, but the annexation of discussion to one of practical necessity. Considering its effects on the finances of our Indian empire, I doubt not the development of Burmah holds a very prominent place in your department, and I take leave to hand you herewith a small paper bearing on the subject, respectfully asking your lordship to give it your attentive consideration.

Having had a long connection with our Burmah provinces, I feel great interest in their progress and development. It is now some years since I left that country.

I am quite aware that a guarantee for railway works is not to be expected from Government, but I think some workable scheme might be initiated whereby public support could be obtained in aid of the work, which the Government must see necessary to make Burmah the paying possession its resourves are capable of effecting.

I beg to enclose copies of letters I have addressed to his lordship the Marquis of Salisbury, and his Excellency the Viceroy of India elect, the Marquis of Lansdowne, on the subject.

I would respectfully ask if you could spare a moment to give me an interview on the subject at your early convenience. The season for work in the field in Burmah is fast coming on, and a year’s operations could be effected by early arrangements. – I have the honour, &c.

Acknowledgement.

P.W. 1885.

India Office, Whitehall, S.W.,

18^th October 1888.

Sir, - I am desired by the Secretary of State for India to acknowledge your letter of the 17^th September 1888, on the subject of the possible extension of railways in Burmah, together with the pamphlet on the same subject accompanying your letter.

I am, in reply, to express the thanks of Viscount Cross for the same. His lordship is not at present able to appoint a day for a personal interview on the subject, but at some future time it may be possible for his lordship to see you. – I am, &c.,

J.A.Godlen.

J. Ogilvy Hay, Esq.