We are happy to perceive that Lord Dufferin, after inquiry,.
exonerates the Provost-Marshal at Mandelay from some of the
charges of cruelty brought by the Times' correspondent. He did, the Viceroy telegraphs, extort evidence by the threat of death, but he did not torture the prisoners to obtain photo- graphs. Two condemned men were photographed, but did not know it, being blindfolded; and there was no delay, as alleged, in order te suit the camera. There is no objection to condemned prisoners being photographed, if they do not suffer in the pro- cess, and that charge, therefore, falls to the ground. It is added that the men executed by the military had been previously tried by the Civil Court presided over by the Resident, Colonel Sladen. The Civil Court is, we presume, the Hlootdaw, which is not trustworthy ; but Colonel Sladen would doubtless ensure that a rough justice was adhered to. We wish, however, that Burmese insurgents, when not guilty of breaking the laws of war, could be sent to the Andamans instead of being executed. It can never be good policy to compel armed men to fight with a rope round their necks. Lord Dufferin, however, started for Mandelay on February 3rd, and his arrival would terminate that conflict of civil and military authority to which abuses are almost invariably due. The moment a single ruler has been appointed, effective responsibility begins.
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