THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 1925,
PIRACY EVIL.
GOVERNMENT MEASURES REVIEWED,
SEARCHING CRITICISM.
How the Shipping Surplus Can Be Used.
A
"Once pirates know, that although they may be able to overcome resistance in the ship itself they will not be able to get away, piracy will cease."
LI
NO FAITH IN GUARDS.
THE CHINA MAIL
33
CLASH WITH PIRATES.
THRILLING TALE OF ADVENTURE.
PARTICIPATOR'S VERSION.
Bloodthirsty
Fight at Pakkai.
"As a result of this raid, a man tempted to render first ald, but be, jawas taken away for ransom; a died in hospital.
The pirates then began, to women from the same house was brutally wounded in the head by smash the windows of the houses. Pistol butt'; a five-year-old child My family had taken refuge on the was kidnapped; a young man em-roof, and I posted myself with a ployed by the Pakkai mission was pistol near a window, taking pot also forced away but made a dar- ghots at the flitting shadows.
The text of the report is island opportunity would have been is at stake, nor officers whose ing escape; a boy was wounded by One pirate burst open my garden |
follows:
the discussion.
לענן
PATROLS THE VITAL NEED. Speaking generally defence!
as an
ex-non-com-
second house of each block to make sure of getting their prize. In the thick mist the missionary
TRIED TOO OFTEN:
In some steamers, which "come within the purview of the Regula tions there are something like 30 locks to unfasten before all the grilles can be opened.. No means of releasing belts simultaneously. is feasible in ships of the class concerned. Furthermore owing to the grilles the crews of these vessels would have the greatest diflculty in getting to the boats themselves. In the event of ani
Pakkaf's mail foreign community were startled 'out of their foutbreak of fire or a collision and
a serious loss of life occurring beds on China New Year eve (last Friday night) by a determined owing to passengers being penned pirate attack on that port, just below Kongmoon. below, who would be held respon-j The "China Maif's" Kongmoon correspondent, is a Pakkai The sible: the Hongkong Government resident. He was in the thick of the fight and his experiences provide This is the vital point brought signals from the bridge. out in the piracy minority report finding of the Commission ap- who framed the Regulations. or thrilling reading. Under date of January 24 (China New Year's Day issues over the names of Mr. pointed to enquire into the "Sui the Owners and their Officers who-Saturday)-his message only arrived this morning-he writes: N. S. Brown, regresenting the An" Piracy goes to show that if were compelled to carry them; Hongkong General Chamber of the then Piracy Prevention Regu-out? Comintree, Mr. T. N. Chau. re-latjons had been carried out to the presenting the Chinese Chamber letter, and the strongest. possible There are approximately 900 of Commerce, and Mr. T. Tight put up the bridge could. Indinn Guards employed at a cost Laurenson, representing the Com- only have been held for a suf- to the shipping companies of bined Chin Const Officers and ficient time to have, robbed the sonic $270,000 per annum.
attack of its element of surprise, Neither owners whose property Engineers' Guilds."
furnished to inflict damage upon lives are at stake have the slight-
a shot in the abdomen; and a gate, but he was shot by his Their the attackers and to and up est confidence in them." In September 1924 the Hon. the signals of distress. It is pro- training is inadequate and their pirate was killed by his own comrades,
comrades.
Meanwhile the alarm had been Colonial Secretary wrote to the bable that the bridge could discipline is bad and their bad dis-
Awakened last night by the sounded. Police and soldiers ar- Hongkong General Chamber of not have been finally held cipline affects the discipline of the Commette, the Chinese Chamber against the determined assault by other members of the crew. noise of fire crackers, heard rived, but the pirates had gone of Commerce and the Combined a large party of armed men." These guards although nominally On going out to my verandah I pirate was found with his belt sounds resembling pistol shots, with their captives. The dead China Coust Officers' Guilds, stat- With one exception every recent on the ship's articles are paid noticed three or four man dressed full of cartridges and a pistol butt ing that
"certain further pro- piratical attack from within the through the police and consider in black, each flashing a torch- several feet away. He has been posals" with regard to the ship has been successful, in spite themselves as police and regent light and scaling a ladder placed identified prevention of piracy wore at pre-of the existing Regulations. The receiving orders from the ship's against a house close by. sent ander consideration and Exception referred to is the ease officers. En an appendix hereto a
missioned officer of an army.. A boy living just opposite to me asking each of such bodies to of the "Tai Lee" in April, 1924. number of cases is quoted, show-opened his door to ask what the the son of the owner of the The gang were out to capture nominater at representative to She was then the mother ship of ing the bad discipline and in men wanted and was immediately houses. They knew he was living serve in a Committee with certain her convey and carried eight efficiency of the guards.. This list felled by a bullet which lodged in in the second house and accord- Government officials to considerarmed Indian Guards in charge of of cases is by no means exhaustive his abdomen. Subsequently, I at ingly took a victim from the the proposals put forward and to twe European Sergeants, in but merely illustrative of the make recommendations thereon addition to the six armed Indian matter raised in this paragraph. to, the Government.
| Guards attached to the vessel and. It is the opinion of both the The three bodies so named signed on articles, The pirates owners and the officers, (as it is carrying" a Hongkong passenger employee escaped under heavy hominated Neilage Sharp Brown launched the attack upon the en- the generally accepted view all the certifiente trading in the danger, fire. Chau Tsun-nin and Tom Turnbull gine rooh and, control having world aver) that the Master of a zone an assurance that the neces- Mr. Hilliard, Commissioner of Laurensum respectively the signa been gained, they drew the fires vessel should have complete con- sary steps are being taken to pro- Customs, came to our assistance tories hereta as their nominees with the intention of causing the trol over all members of his crew vide and equip such vessels with with his staff. The shots fired The first meeting of the Com-vessel to drift ashore where a at all times when the vessel is at Wireless Telegraphy. A reason- from the Customs compound, cer- mittee was held Friday considerable body of pirates well sea; and it is felt strongly that the able time should be allowed for tainly caused the pirates to take December 5, 1924, ut which the armed were waiting ready to loot police element should be entirely installation and the education of panic. Assistant Harbour Master, Com the vessel and marder anyone eliminated and that any Regula-operators.
Should the Chinese sol- maper Conway. Hake, R.N.. pre who resisted.
Jery require assistance in their Fortunately, the Lions' or assistance received by a Continuous discharge. papers projected attack on the outlawa' sided. It was explained by the vessel did not drift ashore, but ship in the British Mercantile and also 24 hours' articles both stronghold Mr. Hilliard will ask Chairman at the outset that the was carried down midstream Maring should come from the these reforms are considered for the co-operation of H.M. gun- frortain further proposals" which with the current. The pirates Navy and in certain matters from desirable and it is recommended boats if necessary. the Committee was appointed to seeing that their object was de- the Harbour Department and not that a special committee should be p consider were principally propo-fented, made no attack on the from the Police. Whilst in port formed to go fully, into the matter sals for the amendment of the ridge but jumped overboard and the Indian Guards consider them-with the Harbour Master Piracy Prevention Regulations, swam to the shore. and that the Committee were not that severni. were shot as'
It is said selves as being off duty and they they take no part in searching the to be allowed to discuss the ger-were swimming away but this is people who come on board whilst eral question of piracy prevention doubtful as it was a dark night the vessel is in port. It is the from within can never of itself
JUNK MASTER'S CUTE apart from the regulations. In and, it was impossible to be cer- unanimous opinion of ship owners
be ultimately successful. The
DODGE. these circumstances the signatain of the results. The "San- and officers that the guards could utmost that can be hoped for is tories knowing the general opinning" another vessel of the convoy and should be dispensed with the defence of the bridge and ion of those whom they represent turned around and tried to stand from the ships.
engine room until signals of dis- Presistent dodging the Harbour. ed felt themselves compelled toby, but she could render no assist-
treas can be communicated to a Office by a trading junk master refer the matter back to themance whatever, in fact she only
"POLICE SEARCHES INADEQUATE. patrolling sel in the neighbour resulted in his being fined before proceeding further with became an additional target for of passengers embarking on ves-adequate patrols all that is neces-morning.
The searching and examination hood and it is submitted that with $50 at the Marine Court this The bodies re the rifles of the disappointed suls about to leave the Colony issary in merchant vessels is pro-last Sep ember. Since then he was
His licence expired. ferred to were of the opinion that desperadoes on shore who fired a proper function of the police, tection of the bridge and engine twice taken to have it renewed, the existing regulations were most unsatisfactory and that no of range.
at both vessels until they were out The police searches, however, are room and the arming of officers. but went away on the pretence of
The "number of inadequate. revision of them would be effec
Once pirates know that although fetching $18 to pay tor it. Yester tual for the purpose of the sup-
cases of ships which have been they may be able to overcome re- day he was arrested and to day It is considered that if it is pirated by passengers who em sistance in the ship itself they Juk Inspector Andrade gave pression of piracy and thist unless
is well the whole subject was considered.ecessary to retain certain of the barked with their arms
will not be able to get away, evidence against him; Regulations until Nuvil patrols known. Coastal and river steam- purpose couldbeserved_by_the
so..jwatection_of.........British – ven. provided, it certainly is not neces- for twelve hours at a time and the signatories containing on
From Mpls
piracy in the Committee and that if wider dis-y to stiffer the existing Regu during the whole of this time adjacent waters is essentially a
formulating scheme in which tions but on the contrary they cargo and baggage, is being did of itis Majesty's Navy, event the signatories hereto will if cussion which auch bodies con- templated was not to be allowed! should be considerably modified charged and loaded. The ship's efficient service of patrols would be willing to render any and all that is required is that the officers cannot possibly be expect not merely protect commerce from it would be better if their repre-bridge and the engine room anded to search the people who are attacks frean without but would also sentatives should withdraw from
Summarized briefly, if the guards the Committee and go thoroughly stokehold entrances should be constantly coming and going yet not as absolute deterrent to attacks are witinhas, grilles rentoved, into the matter themselves and protected, and the officers armed, the police only come on duty on how within.
except those around the engine submit a minority report. At the The grilles are a real source of the various wharves some two to
In a speech made by him inreom and stokehold entrance, and adjourned meeting of the Com- danger. They interfere with the three hours before the ship is due Shanghai 1024) Admiral Sir Arthur bridge, an adequate fleet of patrol mittee the Chairman again made access of the passengers to the to sail. It is submitted that a Leveson stated that the plaing of craft provided, and pilice super- it clear that the wider considera-boats and in all rohability will adequate number of police should and guards on river boats was of vision, both ashore and in the tion was outside the scope of the be the cause of grent loss of life be on duty on the wharves the Bitle practical service and that in harbour materially reinforced, Committee and the signatories in the event of a vessel carrying whole time, also that the Water eased patrols were in his opinion there should be little to fear fro
them incurring any maritime Police should be strengthened and the only remedy, and that he the possibility of „pimțical attacks hereto accordingly withdrew.
Although both the Shipowners casualty. The Regulations so far provided with additional suitable taking steps to increase the patrols in the future. and the Personnel on the ships as they relate to grufes are in harbour craft to be used in super-on the Yangtze,
.*in-OPERATION- EÙSEQUIAL, from the outset have realized the direct opposition to the provisions Vising and examining passengers The signatories hereto have taken many defects of the existing of the merchant Shipping Acte. embarking on vessels in the up the question of Naval patrols While the Navy is primarily Ordinance they have unquestion- The Board of Trade requirements stream. At present police super- with the Senior Naval Officer West responsible for the suppression of ably given the system more than as to the Survey of Life Saving vision and examination of such River Patrols and his report is with piracy in these and other waters a fair trial. They cannot, how Appliances, 1920, par. 160, are passengers is hopelessly in the approval of the Commodore if the best results are to be obtained | ever, continue to willingly sub- as follows: Proper provision adequate. This doubtless will appended hereto. Two observait is of vital importance that they scribe to a system which from must be made for access of entail a considerable increase in tions only need be made on the find obtain the maximum experience they are convinced is passengers to the embarkation the strength of the police force substance of that report. First operation and support not only from deck and for controlling and ard consequently increased ex that it would appear from the re. the shipowners and those who mu martialling them and finally em-nse. It is submitted, however, port that that portion of HM the Bhip but also from the barking them in the lifeboats in that it is as much the duty of the Novel forves which is stationed in Harbour Department and the polics. It is strongly urged that it is the shortest possible time." The Government to protect life and adjacent watera is not adequate for The activities of the latter, however, the provinces of the Navy to pro present requirements under the property on board shin by taking the many and varied duties which should be confined entirely to pro tect commerce, particularly Bri Piracy Prevention Regulations precautionary measures whilst devolve upon it and second that testive measure ashore and to the against the are to keep all passengers other ships are in port as it is to pro- the report deals pretically entirely examination of pissangers prior to depredations of pirates. Under than those of first class below the tect life and property ashore. with River traffic.
embarkation. That the local toy- the Regulations the responsibility bridge deek. which in all river Owing to the silting up of the I is urged that systero of erniment have not kept the Naval for the defence of the local Mer-steamers is also the boat deck. In Tai Mei. Barrier a number of ves. patrals on the lines indicated by the Authorities fully posted of inforna- cantile Marine is thrown upon the the case of river steamers all hels have to be lightened at officer in question and a coastal tion in their possession is exempli owners and the officers of each access from the main or lower Whampoa and the cargo so taken putrol within the danger zone to be fad in un incident which took place vessel. The idea of a merchant deck is cut off from the next deck out has to be carried from thence formulated by the Naval authorities on January 2 of this year. It ap ship of the class plying in the above or from the saloon "deck by to Canton in native craft. The should be instituted at once. If pears from information received by Canton Delta or on the coast hav-means of locked spar gratings greatest difficulties are being ex. the Estimates for His Majesty's the Police that 20 pirates were ing?'a citadel fortified across the companionway. Pas-perienced in inducing the owners Navy do not permit of the im- supposed to have left Hongkong by garrisoned defended" (vide sengers in the second class accom- of native craft to carry such mediate construction of the in-an unknown ship for Shanghai, Report of “St An" Piracy madation on the saloon deck aft cargpes owing to their fear of dicated craft by the Navy it is their object heing to lack Commission) is as impracticable are separated from the first class pirates. "The regulations, of urged that Hongkong Government unknown vessel on the return as it is absurd, It is accepted as passengers forward and from the course, cannot apply to such craft might actingly apply to this purpose durney from Shanghai to Hong- axiomatic that it is the duty of deck above by means of locked and the only defence that can be the surplus shipping control funds kong. The shipping companies the master and his officers to gratings and grilles. No offices, afforded to such craft must be as yet unappropriated to any par- were requested by the police to defend their ship but it is sub-or guards are below the bridge supplied by patrols.
Sicular purpose, or if these are un- warn the masters of steaners trad- mitted that adequate protection deck, that is the deck above those
available for the time being, in the ing on that particular route. ÅR) from piratical attacks from on which the majority of the
intercots of the general trade of the the information It is not contended that the Colony the Hongkong Government negre, on enquiring from the was somewhat within the ship is utterly imprac-passengers (in many instances convoy system has proved entirely should accept responsibility. ticable in the case of vessels over 1,000) are carried.
Naval Authorities as to whether In the valueless, but experience has employed on the trades in ques-event of a panic arising from fire, shown that it is a serious inter- the signatories to this report to more definite mature it transpired It is not within the competence of they could provide anything of a Lion, Vessels constructed for collision or other maritime ference with trade as the speed of elaborate a comprehensive scheme that the Police had not passed on commercial purposea to carry pas casualty the people below decks the convoy is necessarily reduced of naval patrols.. sengers and cargo from one port would be unable to reach the boat to the speed of the slowest vessel
their information to the Navy! It is however most strongly They knew nothing about it. The to another cannot be converted deck because of the locked grilles, in the convoy. The result is ob urged that an adequate patrol sys- foregoing only saves to illustrate Into fortresses. It is common The ships officers in the event of viously unfair to those Companies tom on the lines suggested by the need for closer co-operation ground that the element of aura collision would be fully occupied which have spent large sums in the Senior Naval Officer West River between the lord Government and prise is always inevitably present with their respective duties and Improving their vessels to cope. Patrols and coastal patrol are the Nasal Auliaritics paid to in the case of such attacker The therefore able to attend to the with incressed competition, and the only solutions of the existing ensure the rerer effectivendar of most that can i hoped for or unlocking of the grilles. If the also tends to stop further develop state of affair and that the Flong-such co-operation, the appointment attempted is the defence of the guards had keys it is unlikely ment.
kong Government should therefore of a Navel representative ou say bridge and engine room for a that they would have sufficient It is considered desirable that at the earliest possible moment seek committee convened to deal with sufficient time to enable the presence of mind or sufficient the Government should obtain the advice and sistance of H.M. intern relating to piracy prevan- officers to send out distress initiative to do anything of use,1from the owners of all vessels Naval Authorities at Hongkong in "inn is most desirable.
GRILLES AND DANGER."
and all avenues explored, no good thereinafter referred to) areers are frequently in Hongkong Piracy will cease.
wrong.
DUTY OF THE NAVY.
tish commerce,
CONVOYS AND WIRELESS.
Au
Wild
assistance in their power.
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