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In considering the measures to be employed, one must unfortunately admit that the complete elimination of piracy in China Waters, which has been in progress for hundreds of years, cannot be brought within the bounds of practical politics and we must therefore necessarily content ourselves with putting forward suggestions such as will merely tend to limit its activities. The question of Piracy Prevention was very fully dealt with by a Special Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, appointed in December 1924, and with the finding of same I am in general sympathy. There are one or two points in same, however, which I think call for moderation and will deal with same in due course. By reference to the files of this Special Committee, I find the following note taken at the first meeting held on the 17th December 1924:--
"In preliminary discussion the point was made that once the pirates get on board a steamer there is little chance of effective defence. It is the duty of the police to prevent their getting on board and to see that arms are not placed on the
This should be effected by more rigorous search methods.
steamers.
It was stated that four or five passenger steamers leave for Canton morning and evening but that the number leaving the Port for other places included in the danger zone is very much larger. On the question of how many police would be required to make an effective search, extracts were read from the notes of a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce attended by the Captain Superintendent of Police (q.v.) Mr. Brown also mentioned that something like 800 Indian guards are employ- ed on the various steamers: they could be more effectively employed on shore in search work.
Indian Guards: In regard to the convoys, there are eight Indians to each convoy with two Europeans in charge. These travel on the 'mother ship' of the convoy and are in addition to the six guards employed under the Piracy Regula- tions. Each convoy contains about four ships.
Instances were given of Indian guards proving to be untrained; also of ineffective control by the European police officers in charge of the convoy guards. It is the general opinion of ship's officers that Indian guards are ineffective. Masters have no confidence in them.
The Shipping Companies pay $25 per month for each guard and $27 for the No. 1. Portuguese (formerly employed) were better than Indian guards.
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Methods of Search: Police on wharves-not the Indian guards-search the passengers as they go on board: from four to six would be employed on the wharf, according to the size of the steamer, and would be superintended by a European. It was felt that suggestions for improving the searches could only be made on broad lines, as this was the work of police experts. It was the general opinion that the policing of the Colony is not as effective as it might be; there are not nearly enough Europeans, and the Superior officers have not all police training.
It was pointed out that it is impossible for one ship's officer to keep a sharp watch for undesirable persons on both sides of the ship at once. Passengers begin to go on board from an early hour, whereas the police do not commence their search until from two to three hours before the ship sails. There is nothing to hinder people from bringing fire-arms on board early, and secreting them, afterwards coming on board again without them for the purpose of the search. Extracts from Mr. Wolfe's comments on searches and the people responsible, in his opinion, for guarding wharves were read (q.v.). It was also pointed out that loading and dis- charge of cargo is a continuous operation from the time the ship arrives to the time it leaves, and both operations take place simultaneously.
The fact that all recent piracies have been from within was held to point to the need for more rigorous searches and for more effective naval patrols in order to prevent the pirates from making an escape.
With regard to river steamers, much transhipment cargo from Europe is transferred by lighter and not via the wharf.
The guards do not consider themselves to be on duty during the time that the ship is in port".
Experience has gone to show that all energy should undoubtedly be directed in the first place to preventing the pirates from getting on board and to arms being