OCCASIONAL NOTE
Apparently Arakan, the division of Burma which is neighbour to Bengal, being just “across the bay,” has not been prolific in records of the early years of the British annexation. A paper recently read before the Burma Research Society gave some interesting details, however, of an account of Arakan written by the Rev. Mr. Malcolm in 1836, soon after the annexation. Even in those early days Burma showed signs of becoming the world’s rice granary. Something of what British occupation has done for the country is suggested, however, by the increase in the value of rice exports in the last eighty years. In 1836 the cultivator received for his paddy Rs 5 for 1,250 lb. For the same quantity he now gets from six to ten times the price current in 1836, and the three lakhs of rupees which represented the total value of the rice exports of Arakan in 1836 has multiplied a hundredfold. Another indication of the prosperity which has come in the interval may be seen from the growth of such a place as Kyakpyu, which in 1836 had only 2,000 inhabitants and today has 188,000, a total which compares favourably with the whole population of Arakan in 1836, when it stood at “nearly 237,000.” Akyab, which in 1836 was described as the “metropolis” of Arakan, has not grown as fast, its 8,000 inhabitants in 1836 – among whom many were Bengalis – having expanded only fivefold in the interval.
ALL QUIET IN BOMBAY
BOMBAY, APR 16
All is quiet in Bombay and business is being continued as usual. H.E. the Governor of Bombay will this evening make a public pronouncement regarding the present situation. All European and Indian merchants, members of the Municipal Corporation and leading citizens have been asked to attend. Members of the legal profession will hold a meeting this evening to memorialise the Secretary of State to advise His Majesty the King- Emperor to signify his disallowance of the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act. News has been received from Surat and Ahmedabad that these cities are resuming their normal aspect. According to the Times of India’s correspondent the total number of those wounded in Ahmedabad during the riots amounts to about 250. The number of deaths is estimated at about twenty.
NO SATYAGRAHA IN RANGOON
RANGOON, APR 16
Beyond the receipt and publication of Mr. Gandhi’s message in the local papers, nothing of interest has occurred here in connection with the present outrages in India. The newspapers here generally condemn the action of Mr. Gandhi and the perpetrators of the Amritsar murders. In this connection the Rangoon Gazette states:- We must assume that the future Indian administrators of India will be educated men of the type of Mr. Gandhi and that his followers will be the type which has turned India topsy-turvy in the last few days. No movement can be allowed to run riot which has as its object insecurity to lives and property. Nothing has proved the need of the Rowlatt Bill more than the events of the past few days, and in one respect Mr. Gandhi has done a service to the Government. He had proved how great a hold this anarchical propaganda has obtained and how widespread are its ramifications.
MAHOMEDAN MEETING AT ARRAH
ARRAH, APR 16
A meeting of Mahomedans was held at Arrah on the 15th instant. Among those present were Moulvi Rauf, zemindar, Mehdanvi, Moulvi Tahir, Moulvi Ismail, Moulvi Md. Hossain, and others. Moulvi Rauf presided. Moulvi Tahi, in his speech, pointed out that the present agitation under the name of passive resistance was most dangerous and mischievous and would do great harm to India. In the course of his speech he remarked that no history could show any nation to have achieved greatness by lawlessness; and crime was lack of morality rather than the mark of progress. He pointed out that the conduct of agitators rather justified the passing of the Bill. Resolution were passed to the effect that all true patriots should dissociate themselves from the movement.
STANDARD CLOTH
BOMBAY, APR 16
A Press communiqué issued by the Controller of Cotton Cloth states that since the second order for standard cloth was placed with the mills there has been a considerable fall in the price of cloth in Bombay, which has been reflected in up-country markets. In consequence of this there is now only a small margin between the price of standard cloth, which is based on the prevailing rate for cotton, and that of ordinary cloth. In these circumstance no further orders for standard cloth will be placed with the mills for the present.