THE ROYAL MASSACRE IN BURMAH.

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 148, 24 May 1879, Page 3

THE ROYAL MASSACRE IN BURMAH.

The situation of p.urmah has assumed a serious aspect, and it is plain that the Oavornuient of India is more alarmed now than it was a fortnight ago. It appears that the King is making ■extensive military preparations, and surraunding himself with advisers known to he hostile to the British Government. These may bo merely protective measures on his part to secure himself against his own subjects or our active interference, but cannot fail to -cause anxiety for the safety of British residents and Euro pcans in Mandalay. By a recent arrangement between the two Governments, a ■small European guard is allowed for the protection of residents in Mandalay -and Bhamo. This guard arrived in Mandalay a few days before the massacre ■and is now the sole force on which Europeans there can depend. In the event of an attack, this garrison in British Burmah is baldly sufficient to defend the frontier. The Government, therefore has wisely determined to despatch reinforcements from Calcutta and Madras. It is stated that the King is sending a special envoy to the Viceroy, the object being unknown, but probably with the intention of trying to palliate the massacres. It is difficult to predict the upshot, depending as it does on the caprice of a barbarian, mad with jo..lousy and drink, hut it may safely be said that the Indian Government lias its hands too full at present to take active stops unless forced to do so for the protection of its subjects or territory jjMrom irresponsible despotism. The massacre seems to have been attended with even' possible atrocity. I lie Mandalay correspondent of the Calcutta Enr/li-shmau thus describes;—“ A council was held by the King and his Arming advisers, and the conclusion came to was that extermination was the only means whereby he could obtain safety. The immediate execution was, therefore, ordered of everyone in prison. Executioners were easily obtained, and with •darkness commenced the scene of slaughter. It being, however, found inconvenient to get through the job in one night, a division was made, and some twenty were chosen. These were severely beaten and kicked, the women being shamefully treated. When lifeless, They Avere lurried into a largo a veil in the garden. Children were torn to pieces before their parents’ eyes, and the parents then put to death, their last look being fixed on the quivering and mangled remains of their little ones. The Meckra Prince was made a witness of the most atrocious conduct toAvards hisAvifeand children, and sarv his aged mother beaten senseless,to the ground, and then dragged to the well and tumbled in. Thongya’s family fared the same, as also the two Menghces, the MyodaAvlaAV, his two suns, and Pliawoon. The princes, instead of being put in with their families, Avere killed last, and thrown into the river.”