The Author and his wife

L t - G e n Masaouml Yamanouchi, C h i n d w i n Valley-Chin Hllls-Dimapur, Comdr 15 div Matsukl, 1944. pp 41, 47, 48.

L t - G e n Sato, C h i n H i l l s - K o h i m a and Indonesia, Comdr Betsu 31 div 1944 (dead); pp 41, 46, 47, 48, P V 64.

L t - G e n Renya Mutaguchi, C h i n H i l l s India Front; Comdr 15 Japanese Army, Maymyo 1944; pp 41, P V 64.

L t - G e n Motozo Yanagida, Port W h i t e T i d d i m - C h i n Hills-Imphal Front; Comdr Y u m i 33 div 1944 (dead); pp 37, 38, 41, 47 & P V 64.

Jubilee Hall, July 1947 : Honble Vum Ko Hau eulogising the deeds of his former colleagues In cabinet. The new Premier Thakin Nu and Daw Khin . Pu daughter of Deedoke Ba Choe flanked the author. The July murders proved that the races of Burma were united not only In name but also in fact, and the world which was intently watching her saw that Burma could take adversity calmly not unlike a stately ship which braves the storms and sails the oceans. Pp 119, 121.

PV 16.

NOVEMBER 8, 1947

Spokesmen For the Frontier Peopled ~

U Vum Ko Hau, representative for the Chins (left) and the Sawbwa of Mongmit, a Shan State ruler, two leaders of minorities.

s a Big Day Well . tatiem. He has breakfast' burning Street.

1

P V 18. P V 17. Signing of N u - A t t l e e Treaty at IP Downing Street on 17th October 1947 : Top : Honble V u m K o H a u and Honble Sao H k u n H k i o Lower : Honble T h a k i n N u and Honble C. R . Attlee.

Picture Post

Breakfast at Dorchester Hotel, 17 October 1947. L to R U C h a n H t u n ; Hon'ble V u m K o H a u ; D T u n L i n ; Hon'ble Thakin Nu.

PV 20

His Excellency U Vum Ko Hau shaking hands with- President M . Rene Coty of the French Republic when the former presented his Letter of Credence on December 15, 1955 at Palais de l'Elysee, Paris.

PV 21.

Son Excellence M . Vum K o Hau and General Ne Win laying wreath on the tomb oi the soldat lnconnu; the eternal flame Is behind the author; Napoleon's victories can be seen on the Arc de Trlomphe.

His Excellency Ambassador Vum Ko Hau presenting credentials to President Dr. Sukarno of Indonesia, as the first Burmese Ambassador to reside i n Jakarta.

PV 26.

Ambassadors of Colombo plan countries with Indonesian foreign Minister Dr Subandrio. Kanagasundram of Ceylon, S. Ahmed of Pakistan, Dr. Subandrio of Indonesia, Apa Pant of India, U Vum Ko Hau of Burma,

PV 27.

Chief Pu Hau Vum of Lunmun and Bel-Lei (after whom the author was named and became his heir) and Saya M . Za Khup. The above picture was taken Just after Chief Hau Vum's release from political exile i n the Myingyan Jail for four years. "It is one of the ironies of history that by holding up the Japanese troops in the Chin Hills in 1942, the descendants of these Chiefs helped to save India from invasion. I met one of them in Burma earlier this year Vum Ko Hau, now Head of the United Nations Department of the Foreign Office in Rangoon. Himself, one of the Founders of the Chin Levies, he described how the Japanese had made meticulous preparations for their arrival in Delhi. When they next came through his district they were a defeated army fighting their way out to Rangoon". Dorothy Woodman, New Statesman, 1955.

28.

Saya Za Khup and his cousins Chief Kam Pum Lunmun and Hang Thawng. The picture was taken after Chief Kam Pum's return from the Myingyan Jail where he was exiled by the British for four years for refusal to obey orders and instigation of resistance movement after annexation. He died without issue and the author inherited his house and properties. "We cannot say what the future will bring to this remote corner of the Empire it may yet have to face the ordeal by fire and see its quiet homesteads reduced to ruin and ashes. One thing is certain, and that is that the Empire as a whole and India in particular owes a very great debt to these sturdy hillmen. At one time they stood virtually alone to face an enemy that had just beaten a great army. It is not easy to assess the service they have done us by that lonely stand, but this we can say that had the Chins let the Japanese pass through on their conquering way into Manipur and Assam, the difficulties that would have befallen India are beyond computation" Colonel Noel Stevenson, OBE., FRAI., Commander of the Chin Levies and Deputy Commissioner, Chin Hills, March 1943.

PV 29.

The author, head or house in Tiddim school aged 14, 1931.

"Thuklai, Port White, where he was born, was the area which Field-Marshal Sir George White, V.C. subdued alter three years fighting continuously from the reduction of Mandalay and the seizure of King Thibaw by the British invading armies. The Chins had stood firm against the Invaders, and Fort White was one of the areas which saw the heaviest fighting. In that atmosphere, laden with memories of the resistance, littered with symbols of Chin defiance, Vum Ko Hau grew up. He was a sturdy lad. The hard life of the hills hardened him. He was keen on sports, and good in his studies. He went to the Koset village school first, "Winning a medal at the end of his primary course for "examplary conduct". Then he graduated into the middle school 20 miles e.way from his home. School meant, apart from other hardships, getting up early in the morning to start on his 20 mile journey on foot. The life gave young Vum strength and determination, qualities which were to serve him well in his later career". Dr. Maung Maung, LL.D.

SAYA ZA KHUP (author's father); Chin Hills delegate to the Baptist Convention, Mandalay, 1923; "one of the best teachers in the Hills so far as the village schools are concerned" Lt. Col. L. E. Burne, CIE., CBE., IA. "an illustrious man whom I had the honour to meet in the hills a few years before his death" Dr. Maung Maung. "Let me add that I look forward very much indeed to seeing your autobiography and the biographies of your forebears in print very soon. Once again it gives me pleasure to congratulate you on your father. What an admirable person altogether he must have been as I can see also from his son". Sir Alexander Oppenheim, P.R.S.E., M.A., D. Sc (Oxon). Ph.D. (Chicago) Vice-Chancellor, University of Malaya. Chaps 29, 59, 71.

PV 32. The author with father and younger brother Kham Cin Khai

PV 33.

Memorial Posts of Chief T h u k K h a m of Bel-lei and L u n m u n T h u k l a i and his wife P i Tuang T l i n , near Bel-lei. The Chief's wife (author's grandmother) died beyond Vangteh during withdrawal f r o m the first B r i t i s h onslaught In 1889.

"There at the signing of the Treaty of Burma's independence, of the Chin's independence, there at the c u l m i n a t i o n of the struggle i n which his grandfather T h u k K h a m had taken distinguished part, i n which his granduncle had taken part, and being a modest person he would not mention this last i n which he himself had t a k e n ' s u c h active part. Now at the signing of the Treaty i n London's Whitehall, 10 Downing Street, i n a conference h a l l which had served centuries of history the young C h i n leader saw not but the C h i n hills, and the resistance i n those grey hills through the grey ages, his father and grandfather and those of his Siyin tribe, f i g h t i n g with primitive weapons, dying their patriotic deaths as they were mown down by the civilized guns of the B r i t i s h . Now it was a l l over. The f i g h t was won, victory was theirs." Dr. Maung Maung, The Guardian Union Day Number, 1956. Chaps 1, 3, 33, 34, 45, 57.

PV 34

Confidential Stenographer Vum Ko Hau, 2nd from right, 2nd row : seated M S ^ I N Stevenson; LB. Naylor; P. George; DW. Simpson 2nd row Mg. Dwe, Sein Twe, M. All; Vum Ko Hau; Punling.

PV 35. "Vum Ko Hau, then an Officer of the Chin Levies, was given leave by his British Commanding Officer. He was oppointed Headquarters Assistant, later District Commissioner to administer the area for the Japanese. U Vum Ko Hau was encouraged by the Japanese to form the Chin Hills Defence Army which first supported the Japanese" New York University Monograph "Burma". "Japanese occupation they foresaw, was not going to be an easy period, and they would be wanting a leader whom they could trust and follow and Vum satisfied the rather strict requirements of such a _ leader. The Japanese respected him as a brave foe, and woed his support. The Chin Hills was the strategic area, the springboard from which to launch an invasion of India. Vum Ko Hau was put In charge of the administration of the Chin Hills and the levies or the defence army". Dr. Maung Maung, LL.D., Bar-at-Law. "I instructed Mr. Vum Ko Hau himself to take steps to see that as many as possible of our men gained the confidence of the Japanese and got themselves appointed into positions from which they could organise a Secret Intelligence Service for us and prepare the way for a general rising as soon as our own reconquest of Burma Commenced". Col. N. Stevenson, OBE, Governor's Secretary.

ATTLEE WITH AUTHOR Rt. Hon. Lord Attlee, Labour Premier and His Excellency U Vum Ko Hau "Honourable Prime Minister desires you to attend the Dinner In celebration of the Tenth Anniversary of Nu-Attlee Agreement". "In consideration of previous connection the Honourable Prime Minister considers desirable to associate U Vum Ko Hau with Anniversary Dinner. Kindly extend invitation If not already done. U Vum Ko Hau already instructed to attend".

.3:..'

' J

PV 2. The Supreme Commander, Southeast Asia Command : Admiral Lord Mounbatten of Burma, K.G., P.O., G.C.B., G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., G.C.V.O., D.S.O., Hon. D.C.L. (Oxf)., LL.D., D. So. 1942 1945.

Reunion with old friends at Burma's Tenth Anniversary Dinner. H. E Vum Mrs Aung Soe; Lord Attlee and Lord Mounbatten of Burma. The author was delegate to the signing of the Independence Treaty in 1947.

Honble Honble Honble Honble Honble Honble

FOUNDING FATHERS OF T H E UNION OF BURMA U n i t i n g B u r m a w i t h the Frontier Areas V U M K O H A U ( C h i n ) ; Honble Bogyoke A U N G S A N (Ministerial B u r m a ) . SAO S A M H T U N (Shan); Honble SINWA N A W ( K a c h i n ) . Bogyoke A u n g S a n was President of A F P F L ; Deputy C h a i r m a n of the Executive C o u n c i l and Sao Sam H t u n , S h a n Counsellor was President of the Supreme C o u n c i l of U n i t e d H i l l Peoples V u m K o H a u . C h i n Counsellor was Vice President of the Supreme C o u n c i l of U n i t e d H i l l N U - A T T L E E Treaty, London. Sinwa Naw, K a c h i n Counsellor was Vice President of the Supreme C o u n c i l of U n i t e d H i l l

THE

FOUR

Counsellor f o r Defence. (SCOUHP). Peoples ( S C O U H P ) ; Delegate Peoples (SCOUHP).

B O G Y O K E A U N G S A N ' S U N I O N C A B I N E T 1947 Honble Sinwa Naw ( K a c h i n ) ; Honble V u m K o H a u ( C h i n ) ; Honble Sao Sam H t u n (Shan); Honble Bogyoke A u n g San; Honble T h a k i n M y a ; Honble U K y a w Nyein. Back row : H o n . U A n g San W a i ; H o n . A b d u l Razak; H o n . Deedoke B a Choe; H o n . M a h n B a K h a i n g ; H o n . U T i n T u t ; H o n . U M y a (Pyawbwe).

THE HISTORIC PANGLONG CONFERENCE, FEBRUARY 1947 The Chin Leader Vum Ko Hau (on left) with Bogyoke Aung San (2nd from right) with other Frontier leaders Hkun Pan Sein; Hsenwi Sawbwa and Sao Shwe Thaike (back to camera).

Drafting the Constitution of the Union of Burma. , ' ' R. to L. : Honble Sinwa Naw (Kachin) hand on head; Honble Vum Ko Hau (Chin); Myanaung U Tin; Honble Sao Sam Htun (Shan); Honble Thakin Mya; Honble U Aung San (head of table).

Signing of the historic Nu-Attlee (Burma Independence) 17th October 1947.

Treaty, 10 Downing Street,

L. to R. : Honble Vum Ko Hau; Hon. Sao Hkun Hkio; Hon. Mahn Win Maung; Hon. U Tin Tut; Hon. Bo Letya; Hon. Thakin Nu; Hon. C. R. Attlee; Lord Listowel; Hon E. Bevin; Hon. Sir Stafford Crlpps. "There at the signing of the Treaty of Burma's independence, of the Chin's independence, there at the culmination of the struggle i n which his grandfather Thuk Kham had taken distinguished part, i n which his granduncle had taken part, and being a modest person he would not mention this last i n which he himself had taken such active part. Now at the signing of the Treaty i n London's Whitehall, In a conference hall which had served centuries of history the young Chin leader saw not but the Chin Hills, and the resistance in those grey hills through the grey ages, his father and grandfather and those of his Siyin tribe, fighting with primitive weapons, dying their patriotic deaths as they were mown down by the civilized guns of the British. Now it was all over. The fight was won, victory was theirs". D r . Maung Maung, The Guardian Union Day Number, 1956,

PV 9 .

GOVERNMENT HOUSE, RANGOON Members of the Governor's Executive Council; Members of the first Thakin Nu Cabinet; the author was acting Counsellor for Frontier Areas to H. E. the Governor- of Burma. : Hon. U Kyaw Nyein, Sir Ba U, Lady Ranee, Hon. Thakin Nu, Governor Ranee, Lord Listowel, Hon. Bo Letya, Sir G. Laithwalte, Hon. U Tin Tut. Standing : Mr McGuire, Hon. Mahn Win Maung, Hon. Bo Po Kun (ADCs Moon, Burns, Edgar, Baynham) Hon. Thakin Tin, Hon. Henzada U Mya, Hon. U Vum Ko Hau, Miss Wakefield. Last row : Mr. Leyden, Pyawbwe U Mya, Sir R. Stoneham, U Ba Gyan, Mr. Pearce. Mr. Harris. Seated

V
. .. ,. v ..... .:. : ...... m

if

PV 11.

HONBLE VUM K O HAU. the first Chin to become Cabinet (sitting in centre) with MCAs, from the Chin Hills and the "The Chins were*represented (to the Panglong Conference) by Leader of the Allied Chin Levies". Dr. Hugh

Member in the history Naga Hills 2947 1948 Vum Ko Hau, a former Tinker.

PV 12.

Signing the Frontier Areas Enquiry Commission Report. L. to R. : Honble Vum Ko Hau, (Chin); Bo Khin Maung Gale, AFPFL; Saw Sankey, KNU; Hon.., Sinwa Naw (Kachin); Thakin Nu, AFPFL; Saw Myint Thein, K Y L ; Hon Sao Sam Htun (Shan); Hon. U Tin Tut. Col. Rees-Willlam signing.

The Frontier Areas Enquiry Commission (Rees-Williams Commission), to R. : Bo Khin Maung Gale; Thakin Nu; Hon. U Tin Tut; D. Rees-Williams; Hon. Sao Sam Htun (Shan); Hon. Sinwa Naw (Kachin); Hon. Vum Ko Hau (Chin); Saw Sankey (KNU).

PV 14. Chin Hills Delegation to the Panglong Conference, February 1947. On right : Chairman Vum Ko Hau of the Chin Leaders' Freedom League and Leader of the Siyin Independence Army, the Chief Spokesman of the Chin delegation, who later was elected by an overwhelming majority as Hon'ble Counsellor for Frontier Areas to H. E. the Governor of Burma, and the first Chin to become cabinet member. "The chins, led by their young leader Vum Ko Hau, asked Aung San if he would take care that the Chin Hills got good roads and schools; he promised, and they decided to Join the Union. "The unreserved acceptance of Union by the Chins paved the way for agreement". "Burma's Constitution". Dr. Maung Maung. "On arrival at Panglong U Vum Ko Hau immediately saw Bogyoke Aung San to whom he put across the mandate he brought from his people. The Chin mandate sought guarantee from Bogyoke to opening of schools i n the hills, provision of finance for the development of the Chin Hills, development of communication and retention of the Chin Rifles battalions in the Burma Army. Bogyoke Aung San was touched by the simplicity and modesty of the terms i n the Chin mandate and readily gave his assent to all the demands" The Chins Fight Back by "ASMI", The Guardian, 1955.

The author as Member of the Governor's Executive Council at the age of 29. Those who live in the most danger, those who live nearest the adversary, those who keep the watch at the fate, are always prouder, more courageous, more alive than those who live far to the rear. President Kennedy.

Chiefs of the Northern Chin Hills under British, 1913. Sit. : Thangza Kham, Ngamugai; Dotual, Saizang; Paudailo, Ngamngai; H. Rundle; Hangngo Limkhai; Pauzacin; Suangzang. Stand. : Lampau, Mualbem, Paukhawmang, Mualbem; Khanmang Sumniang, Thuklai; (Chieftainship of Lunmun and Sumniang gradually amalgamated on paper); Munkam, Voklak; Llanvum, Pimpi; Lianthawng, Pimpi; Khanlian, Khuasak; Za Khup of Buanman.

PV 45. The first Christian converts in the Chin Hills. Rev. Saya Za Khup; Rev. Saya Thuam Hang (author's uncle) Saya Pau Suan and Rev. & Mrs Franklin Nelson. "Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers i n Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I but also all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks; greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert in Asia for Christ. Greet Mary, who has worked hard among you. Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners; they are men of note among the apostles, and they were i n Christ before me" Romans 16. "On the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of the first Christian Converts in the Chin Hills, I convey my sincere Greetings to all present here to-day. It is gratifying to note with much satisfaction the selfless part played by the missionaries towards the development of the Chin Hills and the education of its inhabitants without impairing the integrity of their race and culture. I am confident that in this Union of Burma the Constitution of which guarantees freedom of religion, the good to the humanity done by all religious sects will continue" Minister for Religious Affairs, 17th April 1954. , The Guardian, June 1954.

Two Chief SIA Commanders. Author With Chief colleague Commander Bohmu Subedar Thuam Chin, T.D.M., I.D.S.M., K.P.M., Jangi-INam. Port White Sector Commander i n September 1944.

PV 44. The SIA war memorial stone at Port White. "The story of Port White and its defence by the Chin Levies was a glorious one. I remember so well the splendid efforts of the Chin Levies in our reconquest of Burma" General Sir Prank Messervy, KCSI., KBE., CB., DSO., Commander 14 Army SEAC. V;

PV 42.

THE SIYIN WAR COUNCIL S.I.A. 1944 1945 "Mr Vum Ko Hau accepted the highly dangerous task of serving the Japanese in the closely watched appointment of Deputy Commissioner, while at the same time promoting the underground organisation of the Siyin Independence Army. When the time came, the Chins rose to a man and played a memorable part in driving the Japanese out of their Hills. At a time when the whole might of the Commonwealth was collapsing about their heads they stood firm by our side facing the mortars and machine guns of Japan with shotguns and ancient flintlocks". Colonel N. Stevenson, OBE., Governor's Secretary. Seated on chair : Bo Lam Khaw Mang; Bo Thian Pum; Bo Lian Thawng; Bo Vum Ko Hau; Bo Thuam Chin; Bo Pau Kam; Bo Ya Shuan; Bo Thuk On; Standing : Bo Pau Za Kam; Bo Mang Hau; Bo Son Ngui; Bo On Zam; Bo Vum Thong; Ground : Bo Sing Za Chin; Bo Khai Ko Pau; Bo Phut Thang. "It will always be a matter of great pride to you and your sons to know that this great result has been achieved to a considerable extent by your own warlike efforts in the defence of your homes and driving the Japanese for ever from your country" General Sir Frank W. Messervy, KCSI., KBE., CB., DSO., Commander XIV Army, SEAC.

UIJ.I8SSBU3X JO SUIOQ

S HA

3^ (feP)

r v (^ p)

VH 4.

Coins of Arakan

British Campaign Medals for the

Chin

Hills

Burmese Gold Bowl and Gold dah

Historical Geography of the Burmese Countries

VH 8.

East India Company 1835 King William IV used in Burma

Some Coins of France, Holland and Indonesia

Senior Members of the C h i n Leaders' Freedom League as CDA Commanders; Bo Suang Hau; Bo V u m K o H a u Chairman and Commander; Bo Ngaw C i n Pau; standing : Bo Pau Za K a m , Levy Commander and Deputy C h a i r m a n ; B o L u n P u m , IO; Bo V u l Za Thang. Later : Bo Suang Hau, attached to Gen. Y . Sato's formation at K o h i m a Front, Major, B u r m a army; Bo V u m K o Hau, M . P . , M.C.A., Counsellor to Governor of B u r m a , Member of Bogyoke A u n g San Cabinet, Ambassador of the U n i o n ; Bo Ngaw C i n Pau, B.Sc. geology, state scholar to Delft and Paris; Bo P a u Za K a m , B . A . , B . E d . Headmaster; Bo L u n P u m , M.P., B.A.,. Minister for Agriculture; Bo V u l Za Thang, B . A . , B . E d . F u l l b r i g h t scholar, Headmaster. "Like many Chins, U V u m K o H a u i n reality fought against the Japanese invasion for about 3 years. As an Organizer and A d j u t a n t of the C h i n Levies, under Colcnsl N . Stevenson, founder of the B u r m a Levies, he and other Chins after the withdrawal of General Alexander's. army f r o m B u r m a stood alone to defend the C h i n Hills when the Japanese invaded B u r m a i n 1942 V u m K o Hau, then an Officer i n the C h i n Levies, was given leave by his B r i t i s h Commanding Officer. He was appointed Headquarters Assistant, later District Commissioner, to administer the area for the Japanese. He was able to mitigate some of the harshness w i t h which the Japanese treated the Chins, but nevertheless exceptionally heavy demands were made c n them for food, animals and manpower. C h i n laborers were requisitioned for b u i l d i n g military roads and for m a i n taining unmetalled roads during the monsoon period for the heavy t r a f f i c of Japanese forces pushing towards the borders of India D u r i n g the Japanese occupation two C h i n organizations of significance were created. U V u m K o H a u was encouraged by the J?.pa,nese to f o r m the C h i n Hills Defence Army which first supported the Japanese. Toward the end of the war, after disillusionment w i t h Japanese-style "independence", the C h i n Army played a decisive role i n the resistance and liberation of the area. The othei organization was a political one, the first political party i n C h i n history. The C h i n Leaders League grew cut of U V u m K o Hau's contacts with y o u t h f u l patriotic C h i n administrators who served under h i m . The group was successful i n arousing the C h i n people to assert their right to elect their own village headmen and i n abolishing the dues historically paid to the chiefs. U V u m K o Hau was the first Chairman of the organization". New York University Monograph " B u r m a " . Pp. 102.

37.

Crown copyright.

Field Marshal Sir George White, V.C, O.M.. GCB., GCSI., GCMG., GCVO., GCIE., D.C.L., LL.D. As Commander in Chief of Upper Burma, Major-General Sir George White, V . C , K.C.B. invaded the Chin Hills and returned to Mandalay after occupying nort Siyin Valley in February 1889. He built the first fort in the Chin Hills at Lunmun, Thuklai and renamed it Fort White after himself. The Chief of Lunmun, Chief Thuk Kham (author's grandfather) evacuated to Vangteh with his wife and infant heir Just before the arrival of General White's army on February 13, 1889. During his absence his younger brother Chief Hau Vum took over the Chieftainship of Lunmun but refused to submit to General White and looked after the Lunmun Clan from Sakhiling where he stayed with his brother in law Chief Mang Lun in south Siyin Valley which was not yet occupied.

EJtPEWfloW A C i i X s T THE S1V1> CtilX THIBts. L I T t B UUU3SAH

CAl'i'UBt Or S1K1N.

P V 38. T H E F A L L O F N O R T H S I Y I N V A L L E Y : F E B R U A R Y 4, 1889. (woodcut U N ) . The day the north Siyin Valley was about to f a l l to the B r i t i s h troops under the personal command of Major-General Sir George White, V . C , K . C . B . , who later became F i e l d Marshal Sir George White V . C , O . M . , G C B . , GCSI., G C M G . , G C V O . , G C I E . , D.C.L., L L . D . "Most d i f f i c u l t enemy to see or h i t I ever fought". Major-General Sir George White, V . C , K . C . B . "Please i n f o r m Chief Commissioner f r o m me and Raikes and wire A d j u t a n t - G e n e r a l India. S I Y I N taken on 4th February 1889. Enemies partly burnt S i y i n and escaped over hills. No ascertained loss to enemy range, most precipitous and d i f f i c u l t " General White, V . C .

Siyin

Chiefs.

The first batch of Siyin Chiefs who were recognised as Chiefs by the British after annexation. nf Buanman (Mrs Vum Ko Hau's grandfather) Pu Thuk

Smpmfo&umdS. UQmme, I X

PV 40. Victoria Cross for fight against the Siyins. The picture of Lt. Col. Ferdinand S. Le Quesne. V . C , R.A.M.C. who won the coveted Victoria Cross for gallantry i n the fight with the Klmlai Siyins at Tartan (Taitan), Siyin Valley, Chin Hills, on the 4th May 1889. The painting depicts the outskirts of Taitan, Siyin Valley. "I saw In the English papers that your men had been fighting against the Japanese i n their attempt to advance to Fort White which place I knew well. I liked your country with its high hills, valleys & water courses I would like you to give my best wishes to the Siyin Clan & to the survivors & their relatives to the Tartan action". Letter dated 14th July 1947 from Colonel Le Quesne V.C. to the Author.

ill

! 'mm
VHM
T H E S I Y I N I N D E P E N D E N C E A R M Y , 1944 1945 "In the C h i n H i l l s the private war began as early as the early part of 1944. V u m K o Hau, playing the double role of Commissioner and Leader of the guerillas, was i n danger all the time. B u t danger nourished h i m " D r . M a u n g M a u n g , L L . D . , B a r - a t - L a w . Seated left to right : B o Y a Shuan; Bo M a u n g H a u ; B o T h u k O n ; B o L a m K h a w M a n g ; Bo T h i a n P u m ; B o L i a n Thawng; B o V u m K o H a u ; B o T h u a m C h i n ; B o S u a n g H a u Thang; Bo Suang Son; Bo P a u K a m ; B o P a u Z a K a m ; B o Son N g u i . " D u r i n g 1944 the C h i n s established contact w i t h the A l l i e d forces. O n September 17 the C h i n H i l l s Defence A r m y w i t h the help of S i y i n a n d Sokte t r i b a l rebels, struck at Japanese outposts, communications and storage dumps. T h e Japanese machine broke down and was forced to withdraw, leaving the C h i n s i n control a n d awaiting the r e t u r n Of the A l l i e d troops". N e w Y o r k University Monograph " B u r m a " . P p . 102,

VG 4.

K u K'ai-chih; Han and Tang pots

... ^

VG 5.

Northern Sung Bowls

VG 7.

Ming Blue and White pots

VG 11.

Yung Cheng and Kangshi

VG 12.

Imari etc. Japanese porcelain

VG 13.

Yuan and Sung gourds; early Ming plates

VG 14.

Cheng Hua potvase etc.

VG 15.

Annam Tongking potvase; iron oxide Sankampaeng dish.

The Hanoi Museum director said that the two vases were made at Bat Trang in Bac Ninh province; 16th century. VKH1AT & VKH2AT. The dish VKH1ATZO, 35 cm dia came from Sankampaeng, Chiengmai, Northern, Thailand. King Bayinnaung brought the artisans away to Pegu in 1558 and the kilns in Sankampaeng were abandoned. The glazed dish is probably the most perfect specimen of the siae extant.

.. .

PV 67 I do not think it is an exaggeration to say that it was a spiritual adventure for most of us to gain in some measure an understanding of the historical processes which have made us through five thousand years of development.Sardar K.M. Panikkar. There still lives an old Chief named Khup Lian i n Lophei village in the Northern Chin Hills' Siyin Valley, whose memory is fresh and clear of the resistance that the Chins offered to the British after annexation. He took part i n fighting the British who came up in their hordes, led by an able soldier. General, later Field-Marshal, Sir George White. He took part i n a guerilla raid on a British fortress and captured a rifle -Burma's Constitution, by Dr Maung Maung. Why are young men told to look in ancient history for examples of heroism when their own countrymen furnish such lessons ?William Napier. The true test of civilization is, not census, nor the size of cities, nor the crops no, but the kind of man the country turns out.Ralph Waldo Emerson. Show me the Leader and I will know his Men. Show me the Men and I will know their Leader.Arthur Newcomb.

PV 66.

The Author at work in his library.

The promise of art is the enrichment of life. Both Roosevelt and Lincoln understood that the life of the arts, far from being an Interruption, a distraction, in the life of a nation, is very close to the center of a nation's purpose and is a test of the quality of a nation's civilization.John F. Kennedy. "It was not until the Japanese entered Burma that any effective steps were taken to enlist the general aid of the hill tribes. Even i n the case of the Chins and Kachins the time provided too short to meet the existing emergency, although these hillmen were to establish their value In a later stage of the war"Official History of the Indian Armed Forces in the Second World War 1939-45. "Tnese men, mainly Kachins, Chins, Karens, and other hillmen, almost without exception did so, and in due course formed the backbone of the resistance movements that grew in strength as the Japanese occupation continued."Defeat Into Victory by Field Marshal Sir William Slim, GCB.

PV 65.

Colonel Lwin, Bogyoke Ne Win and the Author.

"National unity is indispensable to us. It is our main strength, and Just as with it we shall all prosper and achieve progress, without It we shall all go to ruin. It was in recognition of this vital fact that the late Bogyoke Aung San and other great State Leaders broadmindedly sowed the first seed of national unity at the historic Panglong Conference. But before national unity in the country had reached its full stature, Bogyoke Aung San and colleagues fell at the hands of assassins. Later, because of misunderstandings born of faulty relation between the States and Burma proper and because of the machinations of those who wished to weaken and destroy the Union, national unity suffered a serious set-back". General Ne Win, Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, 16th Anniversary of "Union Day", Loikaw.

PV 60.

H. H. the Aga Khan conferring a gold medal on the author. Begum Khan and Premier TJ Nu looked on.

Author flanked by envoys of Panama and Liberia at Ouargla, Sahara, November. 1957.

PV 62.

Dl. First oil well In Sahara, Hassi Messaoud. Author (left end) with colleagues from Paris, November 1957.

PV 56. Predeccessors of S. E. Vum Ko Hau in Paris. Mengyee-Maha-Sathoo-Kenwoon-Mengyee, envoye extraordinaire et ministre plenlpotentiatre; de Maha Menhla-Kyorden-Woondouk, ministre d'Etat de seconde classe, attache; de Maha-Mengyau-Raya-Plungyet-Woondouk, ministre d'Etat de seconde classe, attache; de Menhla-Zayathoo-Seraydaugyee, secretaire d'ambassade, et de M . Edmond Jones, agent diplomatique au service de Sa Majeste britannique. 1872 V K H .

PV 57. The Author's predeccessors in Europe. Myo-Thit-Mio-Za-Attwin'-won-Min. II est ministre de l'interieur, du palais et president du conseil prive. Le second ambassadeur, qui est ministre d'Etat, se nomme Than-GheilWoon-Dauk-Ming. Puis, ce sont : Seyedenghye, secreetaire royal; Tandaozin-Ming, secretaire particulier du premier ambassadeur; Lepaye-Dan-Mlng, offlcier de la maison du roi et. fils du meme ambassadeur; enfin deux secretaires. Le capitaine comte de Trevelec, un Francais, est attache a la mission. Leur capitale actuelle est Mandalay; leur gouvernement est despotique. 1884 VKH.

PV 59.

Holland.

PV 55. The author talking with Queen Sirikit of Siam; Bill Palmer and Sally Aikson in Middle.

R to L : U Vum Ko Hau; U Kyaw Nyein; Pres; Ceylon Envoy; Pres; Secy,

54.

UN Representative Vum Ko Hau with the Philippine delegates Mr Elizalde and Mile SMagalona, New York 1953.

Annual dinner at Hotel de Vllle, Paris. S. E. Vum Ko Hau; Madam Le Grand; S. E. R. Als.

PV 48.

Bernier

W i t h colleagues at author's reception i n Paris. (Pr); Sardar Panlkhar (India); Wieslitz (Fr); Bashlr E l B a k r i Serguei Vinogradov (USSR); the author.

(Soudan);

PV 50.

S. E. Vum Ko Hau with the Doyen of the Corps Diplomatique S. E. Mgr. Paul Marella, at the Burmese Legation, Paris.