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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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Extract from a Letter to an Indian Officail.
March 1892. I have in various ways endeavoured to elicit from the India Office some idea of the terms that might be worked out, but hitherto without any result. On the 25th October 1891 I wrote asking, “If your lordship could, in general terms, indicate whether any of the proposals I have already made can be taken as a starting-point or basis for negotiation, or what other basis would be more in accordance with the views of Government? To this I got a reply that “Any definite proposals which you may be able to make for prosecution of railway work in Burmah, not involving the guarantee of interest by the State, will be forwarded for the consideration of the Government of India.” To this I replied by letter, dated 14th November, making definite proposals, and to this I got this rejoinder: “The Secretary of State is unable to entertain the proposals stated in the memos accompanying your letter.” To put it plainly, what terms do you think would go down with the public? And on what terms, if you were engaged in the matter, do you think you could carry it through? The Government may say we will give so-and-so; but were they in the position of the public, would they accept such terms, or could they work such through? There is no question, if the terms are low, there will be after disagreeables, as in times past, giving almost a dislike to such work in India. I feel specially interested in connecting Akyab both with Bengal and Upper Burmah, and would work it as no other man would do. Doubtless you have heard ere this of the poor way the Assam-Bengal Railway scheme has been met. Though the terms were very low, I thought, in the present state of the money market, it would have been readily taken up by those wanting something safe, but it has not gone down. The whole amount offered was, I believe, underwritten, but the underwriters are now left with the bulk on their hands. I have just had a call from the President of one of the Chambers of Commerce in an important part of Lancashire. The manufacturers are getting tired of waiting for the opening of the trade with Western China, and he tells me a deputation is shortly to go up to the Secretary of State on the subject.
Lord Cross at Manchester, April 23, 1892. Lord Cross, at luncheon which followed the opening of a new Conservative club and public hall at Chorlton, Manchester, in responding to the toast of “Her Majesty’s Government,” said that he had the honour of holding a high position, of having in his hands the destinies of nearly three hundred millions of people. He did not deny that the duties of the office were arduous and that sometimes they were the cause of great anxiety; but it was a relief in the midst of his duties to be among Lancashire people, because among them he always found friends and true Conservatives. The great dependency, over the destinies of which he presided, was closely connected with that portion of Lancashire and their trade. The thing he had always tried to do was to develop the resources of the country by extending the railway system, and doing everything he could to promote trade and commerce between that country and this. They had been troubled for some time with threats of famine and serious distress, but so much had been done in the last few years in the way of extending the railway system and irrigation in India, that he was thankful to say that they had alleviated the distress and prevented the famine which otherwise most certainly would have taken place.
Lord Cross at Crewe, April 23, 1892. Lord Cross addressed a public meeting at Crewe on Saturday night in the Town Hall, in connection with the Conference of the National Union of Conservative Associations. Mr H.W. Chadderton presided, and there was a good attendance. Lord Cross referred first to the dissolution. He sais: The chairman had made some reference to India, and said something about the member for Crewe being in favour of Home Rule for India. Well, the first lesson one must learn about our Indian empire was, that there was no such place as India. The large tract of country which formed our Indian empire was inhabited by people of different races, of different castes, of different creed. There was more difference between them than between the various peoples of Europe. And for a man to talk of India as a country that could be dealt with in the same way a Ireland, showed how little he really knew of the circum stances. He was sorry to say that there had been serious distress, if not actual famine, in some districts in India, if consequence of the shortness of rain. The extension of the railway system, and the formation of great works of irrigation in different parts of the country, had greatly lessened the suffering on the present occasion. Much had been done to facilitate transport, but not half enough yet. He would like to say a word on behalf of Lord Wenlock, the Governor of Madras, because the speeches which had been made against him showed a shameful ignorance of the whole question. Lord Wenlock had done something marvelous for his district. He had thoroughly examined the country for himself, giving up his pleasures, interests, and even his health, to throw himself into the work. The foresight he had shown ought to redound for ever to his credit. The Government was doing everything that was possible to improve the trade between this country and India. The state of India had greatly improved in the last twenty years. Poor as the ryots were, their condition was infinitely better than it was. Their food was better, pool as it still was, and their clothing was better, little as they word. The watchword of the Government, with regard to India, was security from attack abroad – absolute justice to all classes creeds, and races at home.
Late Telegrams, Showing the necessity for the speedy prosecution of railway for the pacification and civilization of the border tribes. These telegrams must be acknowledged as mostly from the ‘Times’ but it should be mentioned that Indian news has often a prior place in the ‘Scotsman.’ From the ‘Times.’ Calcutta, Aprit 14. Several attacks by the Lushais on the convoys of wood-cutting parties are reported to have been made during the last few days but it is expected that these will now cease, as Mr M Cabe has assumed the offensive, and has probably reached the Poibois village by this time. Three hundred men of the 4th Bengal Infantry are proceeding from Fyzabad to Cachar to protect the tea-gardens, and prevent any possibility of further raids. If the Poibois awaited Mr M Cabe’s arrival, we may shortly expect news that a decisive blow has been struck; but if they retreated into the jungles, it will be the work of some time to follow them and stamp out the rising. The most satisfactory news, so far, is that the friendly chief Lenkhunga has intercepted and sent back nine of the captives who were taken at Boorooncherra. Last week’s showers have apparently made little change in the situation in Madras. The mortality among cattle is increasing in Bellaray, Anantapur, and North Arcot, but prices generally remain steady.
The Lushai Rising. Calcutta, April 21. The present position in Lushailand may be summaried thus: In the northern part, adjoining Cachar, troops hold the forts of Aijal and Changsil, Mr M Cabe, with military police, having proceeded eastwards to punish villages involved in the rising. Stray parties of Lushais have worked back across the frontier with an intention of raiding the tea-gardens. One raid was successful; but a second, against the Monier Khal garden, failed, owing to the presence of a guard of sepoys. The frontier shortly will be rendered secure by guards at every garden and a system of patrols. Further south the rising is pretty general. Captain Shakespear, advancing from Lungleh, was obliged to stockade himself at Vansanga’s village, which he now holds. Between his stockade and Lungleh the Lushais are numerous enough to attack convoys and to harass the parties keeping the line of communications. They have also cut the telegraph between Demagiri and Lungleh. Demagiri will be reinforced within the next few days by 100 sepoys of the 3rd Bengal Infantry sent from Calcutta. Assistance is also being sent from Fort White, on the Burmah side, and combined operations will be undertaken when the rains have commenced on the Lushai hills, and the tribesmen must begin cultivating their clearings forthwith.
Burmah. Rangoon, April 21. Colonel Home, Inspector-General of Irrigation, has reported to the Government of India the results of his special tour in Burmah. He gives the strongest support to all the proposals put forward during the past year by Sir A. Mackenzie. He is satisfied that irrigation works in the dry zone are not only urgently needed, but that the water will be eagerly taken and intelligently used. The minor works will yield large profits, and the outlay will be speedily recouped in direct revenue. The major works are all promising, and are likely to justify their construction from the loan funds. The works are required to stop emigration, and to admit a suitable settlement of the land revenue. Colonel Home urges an early formation of the irrigation circle asked for by the local government, and hitherto refused by the Indian authorities. Great hopes are entertained that Sir Charles Crosthwaite will see that justice is done to Buramh, and will convince the Financial Department that it will be sound policy to borrow specially for both railways and irrigation in Burmah. The Lushai Rising. Calcutta, April 24. News from Lushailand makes it more than ever clear that the rising is on an extensive scale, involving nearly all the tribes. The remarkable feature about it is, that the enemy for the first time has developed tactics, doubling behind our posts to raid the frontier; but the system of patrols ought to prevent further attacks on the tea-gardens, while it may be hoped that as soon as Mr M Cabe has cleared Bungteya and other rebel villages, he will be able to join hands with Captain Shakeespear, and prevent detached parties from approaching the frontier. The following is a summary of Mr M Cabe’s report on the Capture of the Poiboi village, which report has been placed at my disposal: - “We left Aijal on the 10th, the force under the command of Captain Loch consisting of 225 frontier police, with Lieutenants Tytler, Roddy, and Johnson, 75 sepoys of the 18th Bengal Infantry, with Lieutenant Edwards and 240 baggage coolies, and three day’s supplies. On the evening of the 10th the enemies attacked from an ambuscade, but were turned out by our flanking parties. By sending a party in the direction of Bungteya, we led the enemy to believe that that village was our object, so we were able to advance close to Poiboi without further opposition. We attacked Poiboi before dawn on the 14th. The enemy opened fire from two stockades, one of which entirely commanded the road and the order enfiladed our left flank. The defence was determined, but our men rushed the main stockade, and some well-directed volleys silenced the fire from the other. One sepoy was killed. The enemy suffered much, and made a hasty retreat, burning the small village of Lalhrima and a portion of Poiboi.” Mr M Cabe further reports that parties have been sent out on all sides to hunt down the enemy. He proposed to proceed to day to Bungteya.
Calcutta, April 24. Despatchs from Lalhai state that the Rajah and twenty-six followers have surrendered to Mr M Cabe at the Poiboi camp. Fighting is still going on around Poiboi. Mr M Cabe returns to Lalbura on Tuesday next. He reports that he has destroyed Lalhai and Lalhrima as well as Poiboi.
Burmah. Rangoon, April 24. In the fight at Tinggram between the Leka column and the Kachyens, Kalingwa of Leka, was killed. The Katha and Leka columns have met, and the letter returns to Thayetta on May 5. It was been definitely dicided to make Myitkina the headquarters of the Mogaung military police battalion. General Stewart is unable to go to Haka from Fort White owing to a slight accident, and he is returning to Rangoon by river. All the military have now returned to Bhamo from the various expeditions amongst the Kachyens. There has been a large increase of dacoity lately in the Ruby mines district. The military police are apparently not working well here, and Captain MacMullen, Deputy Inspector-General, leaves Rangoon in a few days to conduct the operations. Dr Criesbach, of the Geological Survey of India, who has returned to Rangoon from a tour of exploration to the north of Bhamo, reports that near Myitkina, in a district absolutely uninhabited, he has discovered most remarkable alluvial gold deposits, stretching for a great distance up the course of streams, and no less than 15 miles in width. A ton of alluvial deposit produced 25 grains of gold. Lead also has been found in abundance.
The Lushai Rising. Calcutta, May 15. The recent Lushai raids on the Boorooncherra and Monicakhal tea-gardens have moved the Bengal Chamber of Commerce to address the Assam Government regarding the unprotected state of the Cachar frontier. The Chamber pointed out that, under existing arrangements, when a rising occours it is necessary to send troops from Calcutta, and till they arrive the frontier is almost defeceless. They express the opinion that it will be many years before the Lushais give up the habit of raiding and become peaceful cultivators, and they strongly urge the necessity of maintaining a chain of posts along the border, with a sufficient force of troops or military police. They remind the Chief Commissioner that this has been a subject of controversy between the tea-planters and the Assam Administration for eight years past, and they hope that it will now receive earnest consideration. The adoption of the Chamber’s suggestion would certainly be an improvement on the old state of affairs, but the only effectual way of removing all danger of Lushi raids lies in the complete subjugation and disarmament of the tribes. Rangoon May 15. The Burmah column has arrived at Lungleh. The combined forces have destroyed several important villages and large supplies of grain. (High-ho! More conciliating policy!) There have been a few skirmishes with the enemy, in which the Lushais lost six killed and many wounded, our loss being nil. Several headmen have been arrested. The health of the troops is good, but the men and the transport animals of the Burmah column are much exhausted by a most trying march. One hundred and thirty-one mules are dead, and many are useless. The weather has been very bad. The march will be continued to Demagiri on the 18th. Burmah. Rangoon, May 15. The military police, who were hotly pursuing the Tsawbwa of Wuntho, have now returned to headquarters, the Tsawbwa having fled across the Chinese frontier, and his following having dispersed. The State of Wuntho is now so peaceable, and the rebels have had such a severe lesson, that the local government intends offering a free pardon to all, including the Tsawbwa himself, except actual murderers, who surrender with their arms within a few months. The new quinquennial contract for Lower Burmah between the imperial and local governments has been completed. Under in the adjusting balance for Lower Burmah is fixed at 41.5 lakhs, against 37.5 originally proposed by the Government of India and 47 asked by the local government. The point most strongly urged by Sir A.Mackenzie in discussion was the necessity for more public works in the province, in most districts of which the people get nothing for the taxes but law courts and police, and in which good communications and reclamation of land are much needed. The Mergui district particularly, (What of Arakan? Still left out in the cold!) which sadly needs opening out to develop its tin and other mineral resources, would in itself absorb a large sum. Whereas the Government of India calculated that 19 lakhs would be sufficient for civil works, the local government pointed out that if the few large works now being carried on were completed, this sum would be quite exhausted, and asked for 25 lakhs. The Government of India proposed five lakhs for minor works, and the local government asked for eight and a half. Many of the most urgent of these schemes, - such as the Gyaing Attaran reclamation project for extending paddy cultivation in Tenasserim, thus giving an impetus to the declining trade of Moulmein; the schemes for embankments in Thangwa, Bassein, and elsewhere; and the irrigation projects in Tharrawaddy and Prome, similar to the schemes which have paid handsomely elsewhere in the province, - would alone cost many lakhs. It was urged that, if the opium question were dealt with in Burmah, the serious loss to the revenue should be met by readjustment of the excise item of the contract. The Government of India has definitely refused to do this. It is a pity that in the contract India has not treated this province with more liberality. Hitherto the annual surplus of 160 to 180 lakhs from Lower Burmah has gone to the imperial revenue. With such a handsome surplus from the lower province, it is hoped that the Government of India will not hesitate to provide Upper Burmah with a fully equipped staff and ample funds to push on the irrigation works which are so urgently needed. It has been decided to extent the Mu Valley Railway to Myitkina.
The Chin-Lushai Operations. Rangoon May 22. General Stewart, commanding in Burmah, has been requested by Lord Roberts to convey congratulations to Captain Rose of the 3rd Goorkhas, and the men of the Burmah Column, on their successful march from Fort White to Daokhama to relieve Captain Shakespear. “From my knowledge of the country,” he says, “ I can appreciate the difficulties that had to be overcome and the hardships to be undergone at this season of the year.” In commemoration of the brilliant defence of Sadon by Lieutenant Harrison, that post has been re-named Fort Harrison. Calcutta, May 22. News from Lushailand seems to indicate the complete collapse of the rising, all the important chiefs having either been captured or surrendered. Mr M Cabe, to whose dash and energy this result is mainly due, will now proceed to disarm the tribesmen, and it is understood that they will be forbidden to manufacture gunpowder. |