BURMA REBELLION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 5 January 1931, Page 5

BURMA REBELLION

BACK BELIEVED TO BE BROKEN IMPORTANT BRITISH VICTORY (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) CALCUTTA, 3rd January. An important victory of the British forces in Burma is believed to have broken the back of the rebellion. The rebel’s headquarters have been captured, and also a general who may be their supreme leader. Documents show that the rebellion had been carefully planned and enlistments had been going on for months. British troops attacked a rebel town in a jungle containing the palace of a pretender to the throne. The troops opened fire killing many, while others retreated into the impenetrable forest. In another sector Punjabs and Gurkhas engaged 600 rebels with a flag, and a two hours battle ensued. Ihe rebels suffered over 200 casualties. Elsewhere rebels attacked a forest camp near Okkan and stole 31 elephants and carried away 13 mahouts as prisoners.

SERIOUS RIOT OUTBREAK IN RANGOON CALCUTTA, 3rd January. •' Two men were killed and fourteen were injured in a serious riot between Chinese and Burmese in Rangoon on Friday night. The trouble originated in a quarrel between Chinese and Burmese bus conductors. Partisans quickly gathered but the crowds were dispersed by the police. News of the incident quickly spread and later on in the day numerous street affrays between the two communities of the town were reported and in most cases quickly subdued by night. Both communities appear to have marshalled their forces with the intent of settling their differences. Organised rioting broke out and police were compelled to open fire . The military were also called out. _ The whole town is in an unsettled condition and the tram service has stopped. . . Exaggerated stories of noting, combined with wild baseless rumours from the rebel area seventy miles distant, are keeping Rangoon in a state of unhealthy apprehension.