The Burmese Premier's Visit
Though Burma is a small country compared with India, and its problems have not claimed British public attention like those of her great neighbour, it has a population larger than that of any Dominion and an area more than four times that of Eng- land and Wales. It has latterly been in the world's news prin- cipally owing to the famous road over which stream supplies of essential munitions for China, though it has not been over- looked that Burma herself has made substantial direct contri- butions to the war effort. It is to her credit that she has not been " in the news " through any failure to work the new Burmese Constitution. Thanks to the absence of extreme com- munal differences which have hindered political autonomy in India, her problems are far less difficult and baffling; and for that very reason she can advance a strong claim for Dominion status after the war. This is the principal matter which the Prime Minister of Burma, the Hon. U Saw, now visiting this country, will want to discuss with the Government-, along with other matters connected with the war. The declara- tion in the Atlantic Charter aroused hopes which were some- - what dashed by Mr. Churchill's qualifying remarks in regard to India and Burma. Burma, having made her constitution work, is not in the same category as India. It is doubtful if it would be feasible to make definite promises, about defence and the conduct of foreign affairs during the war; but some clear declaration about the enlargement of her sphere of self-govern- ment, would strengthen the hands of the Burmese Government. It is well to be generous in time, and not to let a situation arise_ in which demands might he backed by agitation.
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