states within its bounds, were henceforth to be played by Powers from afar, and to influence the future of old European Governments."[1]
The annexation of Upper Burma sooner or later was, in all probability, inevitable; but it was the action of France which was responsible for its actual accomplishment. Rumours of a Franco-Burmese Convention aroused the suspicions of the India Office in the summer of 1885. Questions were addressed to the French Government. The paramount position of Great Britain was admitted; the Ministers of France "temporised politely and deprecated, while they did not arrest, the activities of"[2] their agent upon the spot; and it was their agent upon the spot who was guiding and controlling events in Upper Burma. Nowhere is the real story of this gentleman's proceedings so well told as in Dr Morrison's inimitable account of his journey across China in 1894. The French Political Resident, M. Haas, zealous for the greatness and the honour of his country,
