

430 The Question of British Trade with Western China. [No 4 



several successive mountain ranges, and the valleys of three considerable 

 rivers, the Sittang, the Salween and the Cambodia. But even if the 

 " Emporium" of Esmok be neither a myth nor a hyperbole, thafc is 

 surely not the point where it is most desirable to tap "Western China 

 It is too far South for the districts we want, and for the desired easy 

 access to the western end of the Yangtsekiang ; while Quano-si is 

 certainly not worth the trouble of reaching it by such a route even if 

 it were practicable. For my own part, I am indeed convinced that my 

 anticipations, as recorded at the time of my first visit to Upper 

 Burmah, will be ultimately realized, viz. that the ancient trade 

 between Yunan and Burmah, via Bammo, would be revived and 

 increased to a vast exchange between the manufactures of England 

 and the products of China. 



4. Intimately connected with this subject of trade route is that 

 of the overland telegraph communication between India and British 

 Burmah, and the open ports of Eastern China. In reference to that 

 subject and to the possible railway, I quote from a letter, written soon 

 after my return from Bammo last year. 



1. "As to a telegraph from Shangai to Yunan city, a line may 

 and will pass, along the great artery Yangtsekiang. 



2. " Erom Canton to Yunan, the Tsikyang may contend for the 

 line to follow its course in preference to the above. There will pro- 

 bably be both. 



3. " Erom Yunan city there is the regular trade route and high 

 road through Tali and Yunchan to Momien, and thence through 

 Sanda, Mowun or Maingmo to Bamo, or a point just below it. Between 

 either Sanda, Mowun or Maingmo and the valley of the Irrawaddy, is 

 about 30 miles of mountainous country inhabited by Kakhyens. At first 

 these people would not perhaps respect the wire, especially in case of 

 any individual being in want, at any moment, of metal for his bullets, 

 arrows, or spears ; but for ages they have been accustomed to give safe 

 escort to dawk runners, and, to begin with, this two days' march may 

 be got over in that way. Trifling subsidies would, however, soon 

 reconcile the tribes and ensure the continuity of the wire. 



4. " From the foot of the Kakhyen- mountains to Bammo and on 

 through Shoaygoo and Katha to Munipoor, across the country of 

 quiet trading Kadees, there is no obstacle either geographical or in the 

 way of wild tribes. From Munipoore to Calcutta ; although in our own 



