"If we shall stand still, In fear our motion will be mock'd or carp'd at Siam* was formerly famous for learning and political power. Here Royal action has for some years been of a healthy nature. In 1871 the present king visited Batavia, Singapore, Calcutta, Bombay, and other places, being we are told, the first ruler of Siam "who had ever ventured so far from his own territory." The good effects of his trip have already appeared in many ways among his subjects, who now partially adopt European dress, and have a growing taste for European wines, provisions, carriages, and numerous other commodities, "until the last few years unheard of in Siam." Those who can afford it are sending their children to some European settlement for education. So much for the influence of the young King of many names, with whom, at the beginning of the present year, a treaty was concluded, and which, we believe, is now ratified. Ample provision is made for British subjects passing into Siamese territory, as also for Siamese traders in British; commercial intercourse with adjacent countries is to be encouraged, and crimes of a heinous nature-particularly the old one of dacoity—are to be vigorously grappled with. Timber from Siamese forests-to the British at Moulmeint a great commercial item-will now be under better management than formerly; and altogether the treaty between the Government of India and Siam may be considered an admirable one. A commercial treaty was concluded between the British and Siamese Governments, A.D. 1827, by which all Asiatic subjects of Great Britain, "not being Burmese, Peguers, or descendants of Europeans," were allowed to travel through the interior of Siam from Tenasserim or other British provinces, and British subjects of all descriptions could proceed by sea to any Siamese port. For forty years the question of frontier between Siam and British territory had not been finally settled; till, in 1864, the zealous Commissioner of Tenasserim, General (then Colonel) Fytche induced the King to discuss the subject. The tribes on the upper course of the Salween River, and in the unknown countries beyond, require much attention. The chief are the Red Karens and the Zimmay Shans-both independent, although the Zimmay chief owes a nominal 'allegiance to the King of Siam. Population about 4,000,000. * + Tenasserim Provinces, British Burma. We have reason to believe that the Under Secretary of State for India (Lord George Hamilton, who succeeded Mr. Grant Duff) took a deep interest in this treaty. Under Burmese rule these tribes were not well treated. The new route to South-West China, if successfully carried out, may bring us in contact with these remarkable tribes, who will, doubtless, be glad to see us as the pioneers of commerce and civilisation. It may here be remarked that a large number of the Laotian population (Shans) acknowledge themselves tributaries of the King of Siam. We believe that other Laotian states exist under Burmese authority. The civilising influence of Buddhism among the Laotians has had considerable effect, and, as in Burma, may pave the way for Christianity among them. With reference to Captain Sprye's route, the Burmese Embassy, in 1872, replied to the Halifax Chamber of Commerce: "As the line passes through an insignificant portion of the King of Burma's territory, the responsibility of opening it out cannot fairly be laid upon His Majesty." But still the Kings of Burma and Siam will be able to help in the great matter of opening up trade with SouthWest China. It would never do for us to behold the French (or it may be the Russians) getting a firm footing in Yun-nan or Sze-Chuen. The Golden Foot, who considers himself the greatest of Oriental potentates, "the Lord of Earth and Air," it is not at all probable (notwithstanding the rumour) would seek, for the sake of trade with Yun-nan, to become a vassal of the Emperor of China! The latter, too, the young" Vicegerent of all Heaven," has his own views on such matters. If the merchants of England are ever to found THE GREAT SOUTH-WEST CHINA TRADING COMPANY we formerly ventured to suggest,* the co-operation of China, Upper Burma, and Siam, will be absolutely necessary. Every route, therefore, available for trade, must be looked to.t With regard to how the Siamese look upon the French in Eastern Asia, we read that "the late King of Siam despatched an agent to England in 1865 for the purpose of making known his grievances in respect of the French encroachments upon an integral part of his dominions." Since this was written, the following important matter has been published :—“ Admiral Dupré, the Governor of Cochin-China, has induced the Emperor of Annam to sign a treaty which is very advantageous to France. By this treaty three commercial centres are to be established in Tonquin, each with a French Consul and a garrison of 100 French soldiers. The whole of the empire is to be open to French * See "Notes on Opening Trade with South-West China," p. 29. + [In the Illustrated London News, 6th March, will be found a capital sketch map of some of the principal routes into South-West China, from Burma. The route from Assam to Sze-Chuen, strongly advocated by Sir George Balfour, K.C.B., M.P., is remarked on in the new edition of the present writer's "Notes." traders, and no transit dues are to be charged for goods sent to the harbours from the southern provinces of China. In the event of disturbances arising, either at home or abroad, the Emperor of Annam is to apply to the French only for assistance." THE ATALIK GHAZI, RUSSIA, AND CHINA. To our brief record of a few recent important events in Eastern Asia may be added some remarks from a writer in the Pall Mall Gazette (July 15th), under the head of "Indian Affairs," June 15th, 1874. While recording "the march of events in Turkestan," which certainly make us feel that "coming events" are casting "their shadows before," he says:— "The vigour and military talent by which the Atalik Ghazi wrenched Turkestan from the Chinese during the last decade, and consolidated it into a Mahomedan Power, have not yet had time to lose their force. But, on the other hand, there is the undoubted fact that the Chinese have lately managed to crush the other Mahomedan kingdom, which about the same time was established on its south-western frontier among the Panthays. There is, therefore, ample reason why the ruler of Turkestan should look about him for alliances of a closer sort than the Indian Government is willing to grant. A treaty of commerce, which is all that Mr. Forsyth was empowered to make in February last, is not worth the paper on which it is written in any of the real exigencies which befall an Asiatic State. So far as is known to the public, Mr. Forsyth still lingers within Turkestan, although in an advanced position, on his homeward route. But there is no chance of his being authorised to promise anything in the shape of an offensive or defensive alliance such as the Atalik Ghazi is said by Reuter to have obtained from Russia. If Russia has really stepped in, her path from St. Petersburg to Pekin is now open. India has not the command of European soldiers to render such a flight of ambition possible for her. The prevailing opinion here is that the wisest course for the Indian Government is to consolidate the vast possessions which it has already won, and by good internal management and a wise moderation towards her neighbours to render those possessions impregnable to foreign Powers." THE CHINA TRADE ROUTE EXPEDITION. The following extract is from the Ceylon Times, December 14, 1874; and, coupled with the more recent intelligence (Times of India, January 25th, 1875), that "the Burma Chinese expedition had arrived at Mandalay, and had met with a cordial reception from the King," is decidedly cheering]: : "The Pioneer writes:-'The China Trade Route Expedition seems to have started with fair prospects of success. In the first place, its leader, Colonel H. Browne, is armed with passports from Pekin, and accompanied by two members of the British Embassy at the capital. Secondly, its chief members are men who have won their chief laurels as travellers anl naturalists. Mr. Ney Elias, the R. G. S. gold medalist, is famed for his successful journey to Mongolia. Dr. Anderson, the scientific officer, is an old hand on the Bhamo-Yunan route, and wrote a book on the travels of the previous expedition. Colonel Browne and his companions will go to Momein, thence to Yunan-to the Viceroy of which they are accredited --and Talifoo. Sailing down the mighty Yang-tse, they may reach Shanghai.'" Since the above was in type, the sad intelligence of the murder of Mr. Margary-the energetic and brave member of Her Majesty's Consulate in China, who, travelling by the YangTse, had reached Bhamo, and thence was conducting the expedition to Talifoo and Shanghai-has been received in London (Thursday, 4th March). The telegram from Rangoon, 5th March, announced :-"The Western China Expedition has been attacked, and Mr. Margary murdered. Colonel Browne is retreating; "his baggage was lost, and three of his men were wounded. This sad news reached us just before we learned that Sir Andrew Clarke's friendly intervention between the two Kings of Siam had been successful, and that trade at Bangkok had been actively resumed. The Mission left Bhamo-about 250 miles from Mandalayat the end of January, and Mr. Margery had been appointed interpreter. From Bhamo to Momein, the nearest frontier city, in Yun-nan, is only a distance of about 120 miles; so, after the travellers' daring and successful journey to Bhamo, it seemed there could be little or no difficulty in reaching Talifoo, the old Panthay capital. But, for the present at least, our advance in the cause of civilisation and commerce has been checked by a foul murder. Of course, under the circumstances, the cowardly deed will excite public indignation, and read us a lesson, in one particular at least, for the future. A London journal says:- "It seems not improbable that Colonel Browne's mission has been attacked much about the spot at which Major Sladen found obstacles too strong for him, and was forced to retreat." Turning to the period of this last-mentioned event, or near the middle of May, 1868, we find that brigands killed two of the Panthay (Chin-Mahommedan) officers who were accompanying the Major to Momein. Indications of the insecurity of life and property in the neighbourhood of Momein were continually occurring, and the town itself was constantly "harassed by the forays of Chinese partisan bands;" which threatening aspect of affairs-although only 140 miles from Talifoo-compelled Sladen to renounce all intentions of pro ceeding to the Panthay capital. Still, he did much for the cause of opening trade with South-West China. The Imperialists gaining ascendancy over the Panthays appears not to have altered the state of affairs. Waiting further particulars, we cannot help agreeing with General Margary, R.E. (father of the deceased hero) that, had his son not been sent ahead of Colonel Browne's party and escort, "probably he would have escaped being murdered, as it seems three Europeans only of the party in the rear were wounded." (Letter to the Times, dated 4th March.) Mr. Margary was probably a marked man through a large portion of Chinese territory, which his brilliant journey to Bhamo could not fail to make him. He may have been travelling in the wake of a Chinese army of observation; and hence the greater necessity for his not being detached from head-quarters, "accompanied by his servants only," under any circumstances. Perhaps it was his own wish to go ahead; but it looks as if he should have been restrained in such an unsettled region, where isolated cases of murder are by no means uncommon. However, the advocates of a China traderoute must not be disheartened by this calamity. We must try again, and feel our way more carefully. We lost Sir John Franklin and others; and yet we exhibit our pluck to the world by sending forth another Arctic Expedition! NOTE. LORD BYRON AND INDIA. LORD BYRON has not much to say about India in his poems; so we cannot give him the place of even a literary connection. To a poet so fond of the "gorgeous East," there is much in the Indian land that might have been adorned by his pen. When he does allude to India it is in no very inviting colours. In "Don Juan," he mentions Nadir Shah, who built up 66 monuments defiled with gore," leaving "Hindustan a wild;"* and, again, in the "Curse of Minerva," he has some remarkable lines, written as if prophetic of the great mutiny of 1857! Minerva, with tears bedimming "her large blue eye," while "Round the rent casque, her owlet circled slow, "And scarce to the Mogul a cup of coffee."-"Don Juan," Canto ix., stanza 33. S |