BURMA REVOLT.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20184, 12 March 1931, Page 7

BURMA REVOLT.

§U& STORY OF THE REBELLION. Bi

|f ZEALANDER'S LETTER. fitter received in Christchurch from "W. Bhodes,. a graduate of Wjbvxy College, and at present lecpin English at Rangoon University, jjik gives an account of the recent etawaddy revolt and of its causes. Elte origin was not so much economic Meg, low rice prices, aid high taxes Potables have suggested," the letjjgiys. v "The plot was hatching I'months ago, long before the price {jpe fell. quack, a species of proband witch doctor, gave it forth pjß could make infallible charms tart bullets, sword cuts, and blows He promised that he would throw the English Government, and P would be no more taxes forwards. Some thousands of pac cultivators were formed into Heats, and a favourable moment starting off. At the time ,«gular Governor of Burma was and the acting-Governor, a Bnrengaged in a tour of the $7- districts in an attempt to |» the nerves of restive patriots, Jhk.show them that the English had fial objection to capable Burmese p&tioiis of authority. | .reached Tharrawaddy and was Wished by a deputation asking him pro the taxes reduced, or their coljrn postponed. Ho replied that he do either on Ms own initiajjftnd he saw little prospect of the lament's doing them., He then jfcon into the Delta. - That night pjlhon broke out with attacks on jP'jheadmen, wealthy people, and nanent supporters and officials. Confusion in. Rangoon. jjfffist there was complete cOnand the utmost panic ftgQpn. For example, on several pua there were mad stampedes of men, and pedestrians revest crowded . parts of the town, latere quite unmanageable and pwdown the streets shouting Bp - coming! They're coming!* Pfhoobng! They're killing!' Howglfe, dispatch of.two troop trains mm guns immediate l&through a second rebellion sudout in the Delta proper. A Intfjmt' of damage was done on all |pOqsea burnt, many people murBjmiro hundreds of rebels killed ilt& e £ ? otent chanaß), and rieeHM looted and burnt. jlppHible has .taken longer to quell expeeted, partly, of-the absurd antics Eptooua commanders. There is District Commissioner gffopfoat Deputy Commissioner: ggM&ffce commander of the MiliBSHfee; the eommanderof the Army Bjipfflae. normal District - Police have ieß(Bj though with I «ann°t say, thatthese MRttna th em selves cramped, when mR, 1 ® one -smallish town and HBffi'PPte aboat jjis own expedi»"»y reference to thie ex> HB|gf;the other s. This only resaddle, bat this in ||||||rries." them. >* ■ ffifSSw -''Slump ia Burma.' Bllifefor politics proper. Things f r 9.m bad to worse. The PMPion baa" hit Banna as bad-' but hero the igno-. and the prejudice also, is held entirely re-" m the' Buimas& papers 1

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