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INDIANA UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

(The rights of translation and of reproduction

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reserved.)

THE LOYAL KARENS OF BURMA.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTION.

PROBABLY few of those who have read the newspaper telegrams and narratives of the rebellion in Lower Burma, are aware that a neglected little nation called Karens, inhabiting the mountains and forests of the province, have been the staunchest and bravest defenders of British rule. But for the loyalty and courage of the Karens, the rebel Burmese and Shans would, in all probability, have overrun Lower Burma. Had the Karens joined in the insurrection, the Queen's Government would, in all probability—for a time, at least-have ceased to exist; communications with Mandalay would have been cut off, and the invading force would have been hemmed in by an armed people fired to fierce resistance by our reverse in the south. What

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catastrophe might have occurred it is impossible to say. But it is not unreasonable to predict that the disaster would have had its contre-coup on the far-away north-west frontier, and that the re-conquest of Burma might have been rendered impossible by the withdrawal of all available troops to repel aggression elsewhere. Reporters of events in Burma have been careful to avoid using the ugly word "rebellion" in describing the disturbed condition of the province, and the term "dacoity" -which means robbery generally accompanied by murder has been almost invariably used. It should be clearly understood that the spirit which is moving the turbulent Burmese is quite as much a spirit of revolt as a spirit of plundering. Let those who urged the annexation of Upper Burma take this to heart and look out for the future. The spectacle of a revolt in the province which we have ruled for over thirty years is not encouraging to those who have on their hands the task of reducing Upper Burma to submission. The second Burmese war, in 1852–53, was a war of annexation. The third Burmese war, in 1885-86, is a war of annexation and of extinction—extinction, in the people's eyes, both of nationality and of religion. The Mandalay campaign was undertaken with a

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