Читать книгу Burma and the Karens - Dr. San C. Po C.B.E. - Страница 6

Table of Contents

The Whyte Committee and Communal Representation

During the sitting of the Whyte Committee in 1921, in connection with the Reforms Scheme, there occurred many incidents which were worthy of serious notice. An influential section of the Burmese people was from the very beginning against the Committee and its work, and the great trouble they took in boycotting it might have turned out seriously if the authorities had not been on the alert. As it was, the attempt at boycotting proved to be more amusing than otherwise. Here again, the wonderful adaptability of the Burmese nature in any situation was manifest. They seriously meant to obstruct the work of the Committee, but when they found that their efforts at obstruction were effectively countered, they tried to pass the whole thing off as a joke. This characteristic of the Burmese would be hard to find in any other nation or race.

The Committee met with strong opposition at Mandalay, Rangoon and Moulmein. At Wakema where the Government launch carrying the Committee had to land for a few hours, the attitude of the townspeople was decidedly hostile, even the bazaar-sellers refusing to sell their wares. The unruly element at the landing-stage beat gongs, shouted abusive words and threw fire-crackers and bricks into the steamer as it was leaving the jetty. One of the clerks sustained an injury to his hand, which stirred the captain of the steamer to shout in words much more forcible than elegant or complimentary--which perhaps, were better not repeated here.

At Moulmein the boycotters, under the leadership of U Chit Hlaing, caused some inconvenience to the Committee and to the local authorities. A prominent Karen gentleman was prevented by them from giving valuable evidence before the Committee. The late Honourable U Po Bye at this place was rather worried and anxious, as he remarked: "It is bad enough to be boycotted, but it is the limit when people actually assemble at the pagodas and pray that the evil spirit (meaning the Committee) be driven away from the town."

THE WHYTE COMMITTEE {Standing from left to right: SIR P.P.G. WALLA./MR. H.C.HOULDEY/MR. S.A.SMYTH Sitting left to right: DR. SAN C. PO. /MR. ARBUTHNOT/ SIR F. WHYTE (Chairman)/SIR F. McCARTHY/U MYINT/ THE HON. U. PO BYE (absent)}

In Bassein a hostile demonstration was led by a well-known female character of the town. The late Mr. R.E.V. Arbuthnot, a member of the Committee, taking advantage of the fact that he was mistaken for Sir Frederick Whyte by the boycotters, held the attention of the crowd gathered at the wharf by taking snapshots of them with his camera. He was aided and abetted by Major A.G.B. Roberts, the Deputy Commissioner, in thus obtaining snaps of the agitators with their faces exposed. This interlude somehow damped the enthusiasm of the crowd, and the boycotting proved a huge fiasco.

Taking everything into consideration it must be admitted that the Whyte Committee did its work satisfactorily and well under a chairman with a national reputation. A most capable and broad-minded man, Sir Frederick Whyte was always cheerful and patient. The Committee members, however, also learned that he could be very firm when occasion demanded. Towards the end of the sitting of the Committee one member proved unreasonable and a renegade in respect to a point upon which he had previously agreed. Sir Frederick shouted out the name of the member and demanded in no uncertain manner what he meant by going back on his words. All the other members of the Committee were convinced that the chairman was quite justified in calling down the refractory member in the way he did. But on the whole, taking into consideration the diverse interests represented, the Committee worked together in perfect harmony.

The work of the Committee dealing with communal representation for the Karens brought out some interesting data. The Karens, wherever possible, welcomed the Committee, giving concerts in their honour, and the elders had personal interviews with the chairman. They felt amply rewarded when Sir Frederick, on behalf of the Committee, expressed the warm appreciation of his Committee of the kindly feeling and the efforts in entertaining them. Musical entertainments were given at Rangoon in the Vinton Memorial Hall and at the Ko Tha Byu Memorial Hall, Bassein. The invitation of Dr. Saw Durmay, to see his white elephant, however, had to be refused for want of time. Karens are lovers of tradition, and a large number of them honestly believe in them, though some of the traditions may seem rather strange and impossible of realisation. Saw Durmay believed in the prophecy: "When three 'whites' meet there will be peace and plenty, progress and prosperity, and an ideal Government will reign supreme," and his invitation was prompted by the desire of bringing together the Whyte Committee, the white Government and the white elephant! Naturally, he was keenly disappointed when the Committee could not stop at Toungoo to see his elephant. These manifestations show that the Karens whole-heartedly welcomed the Committee and their work.

Of the evidence given by Karen witnesses, that given by Mr. Sydney Loo-Nee and Mahn Ba Kin, of Rangoon, and Mahn Po San, of Myaungmya, was most exhaustive and instructive, while a few of the other witnesses were frank and outspoken. One of the witnesses, Saw Pah Dwai, cited recent cases of oppression of the Karens by the Burmans. When asked if he thought the Karens were still as much oppressed by the Burmese as in the olden days, he replied: "The Karens are to-day ten times more oppressed and down-trodden than in former days. The Burmese have learned to be wiser and more cunning in their methods of oppression, and Government are none the wiser." During the sitting at which Saw Pah Dwai gave his evidence a sympathetic British officer, after recounting several instances of oppression of Karens that came to his notice in his capacity of a district officer, remarked: "If I were the Karens and could not get communal representation which I consider absolutely necessary at this stage of political growth in Burma, I would emigrate to Siam, where I would fare no worse and might fare better."

THE DELEGATES TO INDIA TO INTERVIEW LORD CHELMSFORD AND THE HON. E. MONTAGUE

Evidence given by high British officials on the subject was divided. A few said that the Karens could fight their own battles any day against the Burmans as they are a compact and well-organised community, but the majority, including the Chief Secretary, Mr. F. Lewisohn, C.S.I., C.B.E., I.C.S., and Sir Charles Morgan Webb, C.I.E., I.C.S., basing their opinion on extensive personal experience, were decidedly in favour of communal representation for the Karens.

Of the Indian Community men like Mr. P. D. Patel (ex-President of the Insein Municipality) and the Honourable Mr. S. Vedamurthi were in favour of Communal Representation for the Karens, which was strongly opposed by the Burmese and Arakanese, among them being the late Home Member, the Honourable U May Oung and a highly respected and intimate friend of the writer, U Shwe Zan Aung. U May Oung claimed that he found the Karens in every respect like the Burmese in their habits, ideas and characteristics, and that no separate constituency was necessary. As a member of the Committee, the writer, by his questions, tried to convince witness of the great difference between the two races, a point upon which most of the other members agreed. U Shwe Zan Aung, in his evidence, stated that Karens have much advanced in education, and would have no trouble in electing their representatives. Mr. S. A. Smyth, C.S.I., I.C.S., the then Commissioner of the Irrawaddy Division and a member of the Committee, asked the witness: "Supposing the Karens wished to elect a Karen for Hanthawaddy District, would there be any chance of their getting their man elected, taking into consideration the majority of the Burmese population over the Karen population?" Witness had perforce to reply in the negative. It was obvious to all that no Karen candidate would ever be elected, since no district in the province has a Karen population anywhere near as large as that of the Burmese.

The evidence from all sources clearly showed that communal representation for the Karens was an absolute necessity, and it remained only for the Committee to decide upon the number of seats which should be allotted. After some discussion it was decided to allow the Karens five special constituencies, and subsequent events have justified the decision. A short statement which appeared recently in the Press may be quoted, expressing the opinion that Communal Representation has been from the start absolutely essential and is still necessary for the contentment and well-being of minorities. "London, 19th June, 1926: Commenting in an editorial article on the sectarian disturbances in India The Times says that many sympathisers in Britain with Indian political aspirations are obviously puzzled and perturbed at the evidence of the extension of the quarrels. The paper adds that the historical past of India is not favourable for a mutual understanding between Moslems and Hindus, and the strength of communal feeling certainly justifies the demand that the next instalment of reforms should continue to safeguard religious and political minorities. Political education in India, The Time declares, has not yet sufficiently advanced to dispense with the safeguards. It will also be necessary to maintain the reserved powers of the Provincial Governments in order to meet a dangerous emergency possibly arising from religious disorders until the Indian national union becomes a plain and irrefutable fact."

What applies to India with regard to Moslems and Hindus applies with equal force to Burma with the Burmese and Karens. Earl Winterton, in his speech on July 24th, 1926, in the House of Commons, declared that communal tension in India constituted the greatest menace confronting Government. "... fortunately the tension in Burma is more racial than religious, and owing to the quiet and reticent nature of one race the tension does not loom up so prominently as in India, but it is there all the same ... while the two communities in India are aggressive and not likely to be satisfied or contented with any political or administrative concessions, one of the communities in Burma is amenable, and will be satisfied with any reasonable concession which Government and the other community may make."

LORD AND LADY READING.