1879.] over Patkai vid Nongyang. 77 
on the Turong, the line would keep north of the Dinoi River, crossing a 
country covered by open undulating grass plains, whence 74 the low Kako 
hills it could join the trade route to Mingla east of the Irawadi. 
The Shuemai, or Phungmai Kha, on which this town is situated, is 
generally believed now to be the main stream of the Irawadi and flows 
from the N. E. through a large plain or valley called the Sittang country. 
There can be little doubt but that Dr. J. Anderson* is correct in supposing 
that this river has its rise in Hastern Tibet. 
It is hardly necessary to remark that a route over Patkai to Upper 
Burma alone, is not pressingly required ; what is really in demand (and will 
eontinue in demand until solved) is a good route joining India with China. 
The advocates of a route to Western China may be divided into three 
parties: 1st, those who would start eastwards almost at once from near 
Rangun, and may be called the “‘ Marine”’ party: 2nd, The far more legiti- 
mate one that advocates a line through Burma to the upper provinces, ere 
starting east, so as to gain not only the China trade but benefit Burma 
itself by a good line of internal communication ; these would be the “ Bur- 
mese” party: 8rdly, There is a large party both in India and England, if 
not also in China, who are in favour of a more direct line between India 
and China if it were possible, even if it had to pass vid the Hukong valley, 
and across the northern extremity of Upper Burma, towards Talifu and the 
Yang-tse-kiang. 
These three parties are, so far, distinct, if not actually in opposition 
to one another, but the question is becoming gradually much simplified. 
The Marine (or Manchester party) now that India can, and will, beat 
Manchester in the cotton trade, is certain to die a natural death; a trade 
route with China vid the mouth of the Irawadi is not in demand, so that 
only the Burmese and Indo-Chinese parties remain. These should really 
not be found in opposition at all, if the Patkai route is possible; on the 
contrary, their interests are almost identical; a junction on the upper 
Trawadi would benefit both. 
To imagine that the trade to England from western China, would go 
by the valley of Assam, while the Irawadi was open, would be absurd. Ié 
would be equally so to expect the Indian trade to go wid the Irawadi; each 
would take what legitimately belonged to it ; indeed, without combination 
between these two parties it does not seem likely that a route to Western 
China will ever be possible. There is actually no reasonable ground why 
either should oppose that combination, while thereis everything to gain 
by union. 
The immediate future of Burma it is not difficult to forecast, and with 
* Journ. Royal Geog. Soc, Vol XL, 1870, p. 286. 
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