An extraordinary and rather unpleasant telegram has been received in
London from Tientsin, through Renter's Agency. The Chinese Government announce in it that "the dacoits in Burmah are supported by Black Flag agents." That Govern- ment is, however, " hampered in dealing effectually with these indirect manifestations of Chinese sympathy with the rebel Burmese," owing to the unsettled state of the question about
the decennial payment made by Burmah to Pekin. This is a serious notification. It means that if Great Britain does not acknowledge the old vassalage of Barmah to Pekin, and soothe the pride of the Chinese Court by renewing the tribute, the authorities in Yunnan will help the Bur- mese Princes as they did the Tonquin insurgents. The statesmen of Pekin do not make announcements of that kind without reflection, and the alternative before Great Britain is to yield, or to send an expedition to Shanghai. As a rule, it is wiser never to yield in Asia ; but considering that the demand was not originally unreasonable, and that an alliance with China is of the last importance to most serious interests, we should not be inclined to hold out, but rather to stipulate that Pekin should make her agreement with London widely known in Burmah. If our diplomatists are not careful, they will find Lord Dalhousie right after all, and all advantages arising from the possession of Burmah outweighed by the dis- advantages of an immediate and a hostile contact with China.
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