WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 1924,
PIRACY EVIL:
equally futile to make representa- tions to the, worthy Dr. Sun Yat sen whose cut-throat armies differ PEKING PAPER'S STRONG from pirates only in the fact that
COMMENT
INTERNATIONAL, CO-OPERATION.
The last charge that one would be justified in bringing against officers and engineers of the British Mercantile Marine, after their record of almost unparalleled heroism during the Great War, would be one of cowardice. When, therefore the news reaches us that a joint meeting of the China Coast Officers and Marine En- gineers' Guilds has decided to suspend service on the Hongkong Kongroom' rùn until Naval Escorts are provided, we are justified in assuming that it is not lack of counige, but the absolutely intolerable position in which they find themselves, that has
prompted the officers and engineers to take this drastic step, Recent events Indicate that nothing short of naval escorts is
likely to afford adequate protection for skipping which traverses pirate-infested waters. At the Annual Conference of British Chambers of Commerce, in February, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
That in the opinion of this Conference the numerous piracies that liave taken place in Far Eastern waters, and the inability of any Government to deal with the situation, calls for immediate action on the part of the fareign Powers.
· 1 .
曦
their marauding "is done qu'land, instead of at sea. The provision of
the Navy were given"a free hand it would soon, we fancy, organize an" intelligence service which would locate the principal pirates' nosts in the South,
But it ought not to be left to the
British Navy to fulfil this task alone. The China Weekly Reolew of Saturday last published the following (incomplete) 1st of since September last, as piratical outrages In the South
a few Indian guards on each stoa- mer sailing from Hongkong, and searches for concealed weapons among the passengers, have, alike, proved theffective anti-piracy measures. The recent Tailee" piracy-this is the second occasion on which that vessel has been attacked this Year-indicates that something may on occasions be done by vessels travelling in company. So daring have the Southern pirates become, however, that it would not be surprising to learn that
had they
organized the simullaneous pirating to the same destination in com of two or more vessels proceeding
pany. Protection of shipping from piratical attacks is essentially number of smaller
naval job. Given an adequate craft and absolute discretion, we have little doubt that the British Naval Authorities in the Far East would
suppress piracy in Southem waters:
thin a few months. Without however, their efforts would be liberty of movement and of action,
doomed to fail. Co-operation or consultation with the local Chinese Authorities would be worse than useless. They are more likely to protect or to warn the pirates than to assist in rounding them up.
Pirates are regarded by Inter- national Law as enemies of all mankind. "Piracy under the law of nations may be tried and punished in the courts of justice of This Conference urges H. Many nation, by whomsoever and Goverment to make arrange- wheresoever cominitted." If a ments with the proper Chinese British ship, therefore seizes authorities whereby, immediate Chinese pirates on the High Seas ly a piracy is reported, punitive It is under no obligation to hand measures may be taken against them over to the Chinese Authori- the pirates by H. M: Navy in ties. They can be dealt with by the locality where they have the British Authorities, who are landed.
not at the moment looking for Chinese cut-throats to augment their military forces. It would not, we think, be stretching the rights connection claimed by civilized Powers in
with the
suppres sion of piracy to naintain that where the identity and location of pirates are known their strong holds might properly be attacked without giving the local Chinese Authorities a chance of passing on a warning. A small force of Marines supported by shallow- draught warships, would probably suffice to capture any existing pirate stronghold in South China, And one or two such demonstra- tions would do more than countless protests to Peking or Canton. If
Further, the Conference strongly advocates an increased number of naval vessels available for patrol work, especially in the Canton Delta and neighbouring waters, where frequent and suc- cessful piracies indicate that the existing patrols are inadequate. It is utterly futile, of course, to make any representations to the Peking Government regarding pir- acles in Southern Waters. That Government has not the authority. or perhaps we ought to say the In- clination, even to punish a member of the President's own household who has been guilty of a savage Assault upon a foreign employé of the Government Railways, within ten miles of the Capital. It is
Oct. 9, 1923-S.S."Yuan Won attacked at Tal Hang Hao by pirates from Tao Shin. 150 pas sengers kidnapped, losing $55,000 worth of goods.
#4
Nov. 14, 1923-Japanese steamer sons captured and considerable Whampoa" attacked; three per merchandise stolen,
Dec. 22, 1923.-S.S."Sunning," outside Hongkong, capturing loot persons worth $60,000, wounding three
Dec. 25. 1923.-S.S. "Pao Án,” near Shuntak, 45 passengers cap- tured, 2 wounded, and 20 killed.
Dec. 29. 1923.-S.S "Chaochow," between Hongkong and Swatow,
Dec. 24, 1923.French s.s."Ag Lan," near Chau Tao Chu, Canton, passenger and killing 15. attacked by pirates, wounding t
Jan. 20, 1924.-S.S. Tat Lee," near Whangmoon, capturing 19 passengers, killing three officers including Captain Willox, and wounding five, taking lont worth $250,000..
THE CHINA MAIL.
PAGEANT OF EMPIRE.
LONDON, April 22. Splendid weather during the past few days has immensely
ing.
helped forward the day and night efforts of an army of workers in a final spurt to bring the Empire Exhibition to a state of practical completion in time for the open- The inishing touches are now being put on many sections, and it is estimated that the great show will be 95 per cent. ready, when the King, accompanied by the from Windsor. Queen, arrive in state to-morrow
The proceedings in connection with the opening ceremony will be begun at to 30 am, by massed bands of the Brigade of Guards, and massed choirs. Guards, of Honour are to be furnished by the Navy, Army, and Air Force. The representatives of the Dominions and Colonies will be posted at a corner of the Royal dais.
45 pirates capturing 3 passengers. The musical programme will, and lost worth about $70,000.
last one hour, until the arrival of Their Majesties, who will be welcomed by the Prince of Wales, as President of the Exhibition. ilvered before, an audience of His Majesty's reply will be dew 150,000 people, in the Stadium, whom it will reach by means of a microphone, while elaborate broad casting arrangements have been made to transmit the speech throughout the country. A brief religious ceremony is to follow, after which the Royşi salute of zi guns will be fired, and the Union Jack be broken out over the dais, and Dominion and Colonial flags
the respective buildings. Reuter.
Try
January 23, 1924.-S. S. "Hop An," between Kongmoon and Canton, about 50 passengers captured, five killed, and about 15 wounded.. In this case some pirates were later captured and punished
11.
shap, s.s.Shun Heng."capturing 75 February 14, 1924-Near Heang passengers, wounding four, and taking $15,000 worth of goods.
February 22, 1924.-American Presbyterian Mission School at Sheklung closed because of inter- ference by soldiers who constantly demanded ransom accompanied by threats of looting. Mr. G. W. Marshall, principal, arrived in Canto in latter part of February on British patrol boatRobin" which had been guarding school. Sheklung authorities protection but frequent appearance of bandit leaders on streets of city caused decision to close school. April 5. 1924.-Portuguese steamer "Seixal" pirated" near Kaukong in West River district. Captain, Assis wounded and three guards killed,
prociised
To this list the Tai Lee" must now be added for a second time. The list includes piratical attacks
ол
Bombay April 22-MacLaren has arrived at Bushim.-Reuter
on
British, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Chinese vessels, and, (not strictly a piratical attack) the holding to ransom of an Ameri can Mission School. Hongkong is the natural point from which repressive measures should be con- ducted, but the question is not a purely British problem, but an international one. The suppression of piracy is a task which might well call for international co-opera- tion, for the British forces in the Far East are inadequate for convoy duty, unless abips leaving Hong kong for Southern ports are to be exposed to vexatious delays.
CLEVER DANCERS.
STAR THEATRE'S FINE
ATTRACTION
morrow night for a brief Kowloon Coming to the Star Theatre to-
season are little Miss Mura Shipoff and her young brother whose previous visit to this Colony is still remembered by all those who Hongkong Hotel roof-garden enjoyed their perfomances at the Although little more than twelve years of age, Miss Shipoff is
shown
already acclaimed as one of the coming dancers-some judges, indeed, aver that she is the coming Pavlova hoving been trained by the vortan wliu taught the incomparable Anna and having already
rapid progress in her art. Miss Shipoff has a repertoire of over sixty dances, varied as they are striking. and the best of these will comprise | het programmes during the Kow- loon season opening to-morrow night. Miss Shipoff futters hither and thither with the grace of a butterfly, and like the butterfly rests in the host chamiing poise. During her previous visit to the Colony she held her audiences enraptured, and with the able help of her brother, whom she trained herself, she is assured an
even more encouraging success on this occasion. Supplementing her performances will be an excellent movie play called "A Message From Mats," based on the play of the same name which Charles Hawtrey made of the outstanding events of the London stage.
Washington, Apr 22-The
tennis player Tilden's resignation is due to a desire not to embarrass the Selection Committees, in view of the fact that his amateur status is in question. Reuter's America? Service.
↑
TENNIS TOURNEY.
OPEN DOUBLES SEMI-FINAL,
H.D. and O. Rumjahn-beat S. A, and A. H. Rumjahn
Considered by many to be the best doubles pair in the Indian Recreation Club, H. D. and O. Rumjahn had a narrow shave in the H.K.C.C. open doubles tourna lost the semi-final tie to S. A. and ment yesterday when they nearly
A. H. Rumjahn.
CAR INLAND MISSION
CHEFOO SCHOOL
MEMORIAL HALL
OPENING CEREMONY
(From Our Own Correspondent,,,
HETOO, April
the opening ceremony and service On Friday afternoon. “Avril
In connection with the official;
Losing the first set 3-0 3-6, the opening of G.I.M.School's Memori winners won the second and third Hall erected in memory of the sets 6-3 and 6-4. The losers pull-thirty-four old boys who were ed together and led 4 love in the killed in the Great War, took pince fourth set but they only won by 6-4 The weather was all that could be making the score 2 sets all. S. A. desired, and the Hall was full. and A. H. led five games to three Among those present were fourteen In the final set and after five all, old girls and five old boys, also took the lead again only to be Mr. J. Smith, H. B. M. Consul; M
Haley-Bell, the Commissioner of 'beaten 8-6.
Customs: Mr. A. Sugden, the lately retired Commissioner; and Mr. Liu, the Chinese Superintendent of Police for the Foreign Settlement;
S. A. Rumjahn shone as an individualist, particularly at the net but he could not combine with his partner as well as their opponents did. A. H, Rumiah was at times! off colour and at others brilliant while H. D. and O. Rumjahn showed their masterly understand ing with one another. In the first two or three sets they showed up
as the superior pair.
Yesterday's results were:-
Open Doubles (Semi-Anal) H. D. and O. Rumjahn beat S. A. and A. H. Rumjahn 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. 4-6, 8-6.
Handicap Singles "B," D.. D. Dryden (+2/6) beat A. Stevens (5/6) 6-26-1.
NAVY CUP POLO.
Cantain Neville's team defeated Mr. C. C. Boyd's team yesterday in the final of the Polo Club com- petition for the Navy Cup after playing extra time.
The teams comprised Captain Neville, Mr. Davies, Mr. Palmer and Mr. Stanton,
Mr. C. C. Boyd. Mrs, Boyd, Mr. Cobbold and Lt. Com.. Woolrych. When time was called each side had scored a goal and in' the ex- tra time, the ball entered Mr. Boyd's goal after a scramble in the
mouth. goal
Captain Neville scored for his team and Mr. Cobbold was responsible for the point for Mr. Boyd's team.
HE. the Governor, Sir Edward Stubbs and Lady Subbs," were Interested spectators at the match
The opening ceremony was poru formed by Mrs. T. Clinton, The senior old girl present, after which the old girls and boys who were Present followed hor into the Hall, Staffs and school children followed, taking their reserved seats. The
after which the other guests 5000 filled the remaining seats.
The Service commenced with the
Doxology, after which Rev. J. J. Coulthard led in a dedicatory Prayer. He then read a statement giving details of the subscriptions received and the manner spent. etc. Rev G, Nicoll followed with a scripture reading, after which was sung a very pretty anthem.
Mr. H. J. Alty now read the names of the old boys who fell in the great war, after which a two minutes' silence was observed, which was as usual very impressive. This was followed with the singing of the Recessional, after which Dr. F. H. Judd, who was the Chairman of the meeting, as well as the senior old boy present, gave a; short address.
Next followed the singing of the 23rd. Fealm; after which. Dr. W. O. Elterich, of the American Presbyterian Mission, gave a short and appropriate address.
The singing of the Te Deum and the pronouncing of the Ben ediction closed the proceedings.
A Good Liniment' Rub Chamberlain's Pain Balm on the
and after play. His Excellency painful spats. It is penetrating, starts presented the prizes. Mr. Boyd's up the simulation which carries the con- team were wloners of the Sir stond ps that causes the pain That is how it helps rhegmatic ta Francis Burdett cup.
fumfugo, backache, neuralgia,_awollen Cheers for His Excellency con- aching jointy and muscles. So d cluded the proceedings.
vscommended everywhors..
.
QUEEN'S THEATRE
PLEASURE HOUSE DE-LUXE.
OPENING ON MAY
WITH GRAND DISPLAY OF THE LATEST FILMS.
USUAL
PRICES.
Ist.
NOTHING LIKE IT IN THE FAR EAST Watch For Latest Announcements.