FROM TONKIN TO INDIA 



controlled by the Deputv-Commissioncr of Bliamo. and he has a 

 right to the protection and consideration of the Government. 



" E. C. S. George, 

 " Deputy-Commissioner. 

 "Camp Mogau.m, 13/// March 1892." 



This document confirmed our conjectures on first reaching the 

 plain. The chief of Khamti, finding most hkely his power shaken 

 by competitors, or for some other good reason, had found it 

 advisable to address his submission to England. He had sent 

 ambassadors to the Indian Government, and it was probably 

 following on this embassage that Mr. Gray was despatched to 

 explore and thoroughly investigate the country. 



Here we have the inveterate method pursued by England : an 

 advance as sure as it is deliberate, and with no retrograde. The 

 rule of Britain spreads like a drop of oil by a sort of inexorable 

 law of nature and decree of destiny. Assam is one instance, 

 absorbed fifty years ago ; Upper Burmah is another, annexed 

 within the last ten. To-day these countries are conterminous ; 

 and, united under the English flag, are boring little by little up to 

 the very springs of the Irawadi. To the right of Khamti they 

 are stopped by the ranges of Thibet. They will not go farther 

 to the north-east, for two reasons, — the precipitous height of the 

 mountains, and the nakedness of the land. Where no profits are, 

 there is no English flag. 



The minister told us also that steamers from Bhamo now went 

 as high as Mogaung. In this again I recognised the admirable 

 system of English colonisation. First conquer ; then follow up 

 unhesitatingly, working to turn to use what has been acquired, by 

 pushing trade, by establishing communications, and by allowing all 



