Miscellaneous correspondence, reports, maps and other papers concerning the Middle East [‎6v] (13/220)

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Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
The Chief Commissioner of Barmah to the Government of India.
(Confidential.) Rangoon, December 21; 1891.
I AM directed to acknowledge receipt of your Confidential letter of the 11th
December (with inclosures), asking for an expression of the Chief Commissioner’s
opinion on the suggestion that it would he advisable to come to terms with the Myingun
Prince now under Drench protection in Saigon.
2. In reply, I am to say that, while it would undoubtedly be satisfactory to get the
Myingun Prince out of Drench hands and settled either in Ceylon or India, the
Chief Commissioner doubts whether any negotiations that might be opened with
the Prince at the present time would he likely to be successful. His conversations with
Mr. Taw Sein Ko and Saw Hla-Pru show clearly enough that he expects substantial
advantages from his Drench connection, and, on the other hand, greatly exaggerates
his own value to the British. Any further overtures on our part would probably only
lead to enhanced demands on his.
3. At the same time it may he doubted whether the Drench would allow him
to come away from Saigon and give himself up to us if they were aware of his
intention of doing so. We might, of course, send an emissary to Saigon with funds,
and try to induce the Prince to convey himself out of the country surreptitiously.
But the failure and even the success of any such attempt might probably lead to
complications.
f. On the whole, the Chief Commissioner is disposed to advise that we should leave
the Prince severely alone for the present. If the Drench make any use of him, that
would be a distinctly hostile and unfriendly act, which the British Government would
doubtless resent. Meantime a close watch would he kept on his adherents in Burmah
and the Shan States.
5. If, however, the Government of India thinks differently, then the Chief Com
missioner would propose to have an intimation conveyed to the Prince that, if he desires
to place himself under British protection, a suitable residence will be assigned to him
either in India or Ceylon as he may prefer, and a monthly stipend of 3,000 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. will
he paid to him so long as his conduct is satisfactory and he refrains from intrigue in
Burmah. The further steps to be taken in the event of his accepting this offer would
he a matter for future consideration.
No. 2.
Memorandum from India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. on Sir N. O'Conor’s Telegram No. 75 of June 19, 1895.—
{Communicated by India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. , June 20.)
IN the lists of the “Hsip Hsong Pannas” east of the Mekong, procured by the
undermentioned officers, the following names occur:—
Mr. J. G. Scott .—Muang U Tao, Muang U No.
Lieutenant H. Daly .—Meung U Neu, Meung U Teau.
Mr. W. ./. Archer .—U (U-Nua and U-Tai)/
I believe that the above districts are those mentioned in Sir N. R. O’Conor’s tele
gram of the 19th instant.
According to the information in our possession they form an integral portion of
Kiang Hung.
June 20, 1895.
E. N.