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(2) The Indian Guards are, as at present supplied, in many cases badly trained and lacking in knowledge of the arms supplied them under the Local Ordinance. In fact it may be stated that many of the guards comprise the weak link in a steamer's scheme of defence, as in most cases the Officers know that in the event of trouble the guards are not to be relied upon.
In order to improve the conditions with which Companies and their ships' officers have to contend owing to frequent piracy attacks, the following suggestions, if carried out, would greatly assist.
(a) Increased supervision on the part of the Police at all ports where passengers are embarked. In Hong Kong especially, increased supervision on the part of the Water Police over all small craft moving about wharves and steamers after dark.
(b) Additional Government vessels be placed on duty for patrol work on all British Coastal and River Trade Routes. This suggestion being carried out would, to my mind, greatly reduce the possibility of continued successful piratical attacks.
(c) Until the Chinese or the Joint Governments have taken action as regards the district round Bias Bay, this district should be kept under constant supervision and all steamers discovered in the neighbourhood carefully examined.
Since the "Sui An" piracy in 1922 and until present date numerous vessels have been captured by pirates and, taken into Bias Bay, without the slightest hindrance discharged cargo and taken prisoners ashore for ransom. If this district had been under constant supervision the majority of all these recent piracies would have been un- successful inasmuch as the steamer would have been recaptured before the real looting. took place.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,,
"The Secretary,
"Sunning" Piracy Commission,
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE.
HONG KONG.
(Sd.)
JOHN ARNOLD,
Secretary.
THE CHINA COAST OFFICERS' GUILD
&
THE MARINE ENGINEERS' GUILD OF CHINA.
The Secretary,
"Sunning" Piracy Commission.
Sir,
67 Des Vœux ROAD, C.
HONG KONG, 4th February, 1927.
Referring to your letter of 18th January, and further to ours of 24th idem. we regret the tardiness of this letter, which is due to the necessity of changing offices in the interim.