OCCUPATION OF MANDALAY. Unconditional Surrender of King Theebaw.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2110, 16 January 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

OCCUPATION OF MANDALAY. Unconditional Surrender of King Theebaw.

A Reuteb's telegram from Ava gives the following account of the surrender of the Burmese and the negotiations which immediately pieceded it :— On the arrival of the Hotilia off Kyouttoun, eight miles from Ava, on the 26th ult., one of King Theebaw's steamers was seen approaching. The steamer, with another, was hastening to Mandalay, ha\ing left Myingyan three days previously, when it was stopped by three of the King's Ministers coming hastily down the river in a native boat and bearing a letter to General Prendergast proposing an armistice. Observing tho British steamers approaching in force, the vessel, which carried so\en guns and was well barricaded, anchored near tho shora, and hoisted » flag of truce. Immediately afterwards 300 Burmese soldiers deserted, leaving 100 artillerymen and riflemen behind them. The Minister rowed to General Prendergast's steamer, and presented the letter which purported to come from the King, but did not bear either his seal or signature. The I3riti-.li commander immediately dispatched them with a letter to the King, cvlling upon his Majesty to surronder himself, his country, and his army, and requesting a reply by four o'clock the following morning, failing which the bombardment of his town would continue. The Burmese ste.imer was subsequently manned by the British. Her value is £10,000. The Burmese prisoners state that the King was unw illing to wage war, but that tho Queen and his relations urged that courso upon him. No reply from the King having been received by four o'clock on the morning of the 27th, General Prendergast ordered the flotilla to advance. When nearing Sagaing tho King's boat was sighted approaching at full speed. It brought a reply from the King declaring that he acceded to all the British demands. The British landed and took possession of all the guns, rifles, ammunition, and equipment. Had the King's emoy arrived five miuutes later the bombardment would have commenced, the ships, with the naval biigade and the artillery, being drawn up in position, and orders having been issued to bombard. The natives express themselves delighted at laying down their arms, and complain very much of the bod treatment which they have received from the King and his Miui&try. The women and children took refuge behind the temple* and entrenchments, being greatly afraid of the British shells. The Kmc had a large army hero, well supplied with guns and rifles. The earthworks were well constructed, and the artillory skilfully placed in position on tho f oi fc, H:i^ mote time been gheu to

the enemy, it is thought that a stubborn resistance would have been met with ; but the rapid movements of the expedition surprised the Burmese. King Theebaw. accompanied by Quean Soopiyah-Lat and her mother, and 73 .Burmese officials arrived as prisoners at Th»yetinyo on \%>dnesday, m tbo stoanioj Thooreah. The following tolcgram from the Viceroy, dated Tuesday, was received at the India office: — "The Government of India in very sensible of the kind expressions of approval which your lordship has conveyed to it on behalf of her Majesty and her Government. General Prendorgast da•erves the utmost credit for the skill, humanity and promptitude with which he has conducted tho whole business. It is matter of groat importance that tho objects of the expedition should have boon attained without engendering any hostile feeling between ourselves and the people of upper Burmah, who are akin to our own Burmese subjects in race, religion, and material interests. I propose to convey to General Prendcrgast and to the office™ and troopi, who have po nobly f.ecoqded their commander's efforts, the thanks of the Indian Government. I have instructed our agents in Upper Burmah to administer tho country provisionally in Her Majesty's name." The following congratulatory telograms wore sent on Monday afternoon to the Viceroy of India from the Secretary of State :—": — " lam commandod by the Queen to express to your Excellency the pleasure with which Her Mujooty has received the news of the result of the military operations in tho Iri-rtWiuldy Valley, so effectively organised by your Excellency* Government .and so brilliantly carried out by Her Majesty's forces under tho command of General Proiulergast." "Her Majesty's Government offer to your Excellency their cordial congratulations on the conspicuous success which hat attended the expedition against tho King of Burinah, as directed by your Excellency's Government, and arc- glad to express their profound satisfaction that tho lmmcdi.ito objects of tho military operatii»n-> havo been attained with so Httlo lons of life."