THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1925.
PIRATE MENACE.
INTER-DEPARTMENTAL REPORT.
FULL TEXT.
Recommendations
Regarding Insurance.
1
The full text is now available of the report of an important, inter-departmental conference on Piracy held at Home, and, as indicated in the "China Maik," the result of the déliberations, is that recommendations are made for the obligatory carrying of wireless and compulsory insurance by the owners of officers in respect of all ships subject to the Piracy Regulations.
47
THE CHINA MAIL.
compitance with the Regulations. will universally be required after a certain definite period of time.."
Indian Guards. 17. The guards employed are Indians, and we are informed that when it was decided to place guards in the ships, there was at first considerable difficulty in find ing suitable men. The number of Indians in Hongkong is not large and the Government had to take such material as it could find.
...Wireless
25. The fourth resolution was to the effect that alf vessels subject to Piracy Regulations would have wireless telegraph ap- paratus Installed, under the control of a competent. operator signed on the Articles,
(These cross-word puzzles have been made by experts but our readers are warned to watch out for occasional phonetic spellings, such as harbor, plow, and altho.)
10
14
16
12
13
16
23
24
28.
19. (20
125
26
29
130
37
136
14F
150
42
that river steamer would always kong Government should be sin risk of piracy would be greatly CHINA MAIL'S CROSS-WORD PUZZLE. be safe from piratical attacks: yited to consider the desirability lessened. and that such a system of patrols of announcing that full and strict would in any case necessitate a very great expansion of the Naval Forces in Hongkong waters. We were further informed that, Naval been establishments having drastically cut down since the War, there are no longer avail-
We not only agree that the able any vessels of the special type which would be required to
chances of dealing successfully operate in the winding creeks of
with any piratical attack would be the Delta, that they could only
greatly increased but we consider that be provided at great cost, and that
that the mere knowledge ships were fitted with wireless. the building of the necessary vessels and the provision of crews The men were inexperienced in apparatus and could summon their new duties, and it is hardly help, would act as a very great This is the report which would 1924, we had the advantage of would take a considerable time."
We 10. We are satisfied that the surprising that the conduct of deterrent to such attacks. have been considered by the personal discussion with Mr. Pracy Commission if the Mergan-T. W. Moore. C.B.E.. FR.GS. situation is not so serious as to some of them was open to critic- therefore gave this suggestion our ile Marine Officers' organisations (Secretary. The Imperial Mer- justify our recommending any ism. The guards, many of whom very careful and sympathetic con- and the Chambers of Commerce chant Service Guild) Mr. D. Such expansion of the Naval are oid soldiers, have now been sideration.
formed into an organized unit 24. We understand that its had not withdrawn and drawn up Brumah, C.B.E... (General Secre forces in these waters. their own report independent of tary. The Marine Engineers, 11. It was suggested to us that under the control of the Captain immediate adoption presents The Government and other repre- Association.) and Mr. J. Watson the problem might be solved by Superintendent of Police, and an several difficulties. In the first sentatives. The point in dispute (Secretary, The Marine Engineers the adoption of a convoy system officer taken from the Indian place. we are informed, many of was the Hongkong Government's Guild of China). Representatives and were informed that such a Army has been detailed to super- the river steamers (and in fact aling that nothing beyond of the Mercantile Marine Depart system had been brought into intend their training and disti- one of the gunboats operating in We lirie. We do not consider that these waters) are so cramped/ measures for the internal protect-ment Board of Trade were also operation on certain runs. ion of ships couhi be discussed); ' present at this meeting.
agree that in special circum-the regulations regarding the thus it is difficult to find room on The Hongkong Government 5. After considering reports on stances a system of this kind may carrying of these guards should board for any wireless apparatus of greater power than (possibly) were represented on the inter- the cases of piracy which had be useful and desirable. We feel he relaxed. departmental conference referred occurred and on-the general con- however that the general adoption 18. We consider, however, that a small portable set. Welander- to by the Hon. Mr. A. G. M.ditions existing in South China it of such a system could not fail there is force in the contention of stand that the range of such a set Fleleher, C.M.G...B.E., the full was agreed that the present state to have a serious etect as a the Guilds that it is not reason might vary between 20 and 100 representation being as follows:- of affairs was directly due to the hindrance to trade, and that it able that the ships' officers should miles according to the atmos
Even such a Sir Gilbert E. A. Grindle, civil war in the Kwong Tung Pro- could not remain in force for any not in any circumstances be allow pheric conditions. KCMG, C.B., (Chairman) of the vinre which had completely dis- considerable length of time with ed to exercise their discretion asset would, however, probably be.) Colonias Office, Mr. S. P. Water-rupted the policing by the Chinese out creating widespread dissatis to the degree of resistance to be sufficient for the purpose in view. offered. It seems quite possible 25. A greater difficulty lies in Jow, BE. of the Foreign Office, Authorities of the Canton Delta faction. Captain W.. Tomkinson, C.B., Fand neighbouring water. In the
12. In the light of the foregoing for example to envisage circum-the cost of maintaining and pro- M.V.OR.N.. and Commander circumstances the only measure considerations we are satisfied stances in which the obligation to viding accommodation for the E. R. Carson. P.N.. of the which could be effective would be that in addition to co-operation resist to the uttermost might necessary personnel, At present Admiralty.
the destruction of the pirate lairs. with the local Chinese authorities entail their certain death without some of the gunboats carry only the whereabouts of the more im- and the maintenance of as efficient securing the ship against the one wireless operator, whereas, if We are assured by the the suggestion were adopted, each portant of which were apparently a system of patrols as is possible attack. Well known. In regard to this we with the resources available to the gentlemen who were present ut river steamer would require to were informed that the landing Naval authorities, defensive meu our second meeting that ships carry two, (and the gunboats Chinese territory of British sures on board the whips them-officers would not contest that it four) wireless telegraph operas military and naval forces for such selves are vitally necessary. We is in general their duty to defend tors, in order to make possible a THE GUILDS REQUESTS.
We accordingly re- proper system of reliefs. purpose is out of the question have accordingly given our cure their ship" but that arrangements had been tul consideration to such evidence commend that the words "to the Sir.-1. We were requested by made to led such friendly support, as has been placett before us in uttermost should be deleted from your Predecessor to enquire into to the local Chinese authorities as regard to the efficacy of the mea- Regulation No. 1: We were in- Certain representations which had was feasible: and we were inform- kuras prescribed in the Piracy formed that this would meet the been made by The China Cousted of the successful issue of an Regulations in the light of the objections of the Guilds, on this Officers Guild and the Marinexpedition undertaken by local criticisms of there Regulations head. Engineers Guild of China in 're. Chinese forces, in accordance with which have been formulated by gard to the measures adopted by these arrangements. We are very the Guilds concerned. the Governor of Hongkong for sensible of the value of these, Regulations Upheld. dealing with piracy te waters adjacent to the Colony.
Following is the official report of their deliberations which is directed to the Colonial Secretary of the Home Government:~
the butcome of a series of piratical 2. These representations were attacks which had been made an ships sailing between Hongkong
and neighbouring Chinese ports.
3. The views of the Guilds were
The resolutions were:-
(1) That, in so far as piracy prevention is concerned, the Police Department be relieved from all duties in regard to sea-going and river steamers whilst outside the waters of the Colony and concen- brate its attention to detecting and preventing the embarkation of unlawful persons and/or fire- arm, whilst these vessels are in
better method is devised:
rangements for cooperations
with the local Chinese authorities; I
Vin to
Existing System.
41
18. Brinly the contections of
Discipline.
ป
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HORIZONTAL
1-Thus 3-European country 10—Jumbled type: 12--What
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13-Remainder. 14-Indefinite article «15--Abbr. far unit of waight
15–Baseball tarmi
17-N. Central State of U. 8.
(abbr)
19 What woman was made from 21-Enthusis
23+ Mimia
20-Creditor (abbr)
26-Prefix meaning "three" 27-8light bewer *28-Upen
29-Personal pronoun (30===Lagardansain
31-Lleutenant (abbr.) 32-Latin for "Take Notice"
.(bbc)
34-Contral America (abbr.) 35-Eastern State of U. 8. (sbbr.) 38-Former spalling of "Aws" 37-A parent
39-A unit
40-A famous movie ketor 42-Pronoun
43-Holes made through the natu 44-No good· (abbr.)·· 45-Parform
44-Ban
47--Ending to many plural noune 48-Prefix meaning "thrua" 50-Outbuilding.
52-A purple flower
53 Toward the bottom 54-Follow instructions
1-Hunt 4
VERTICAL
Ejaculation, avokad blý surpriam 3-Reorde
4-A cantinent (abbr)
Famous movie antrass (recentų
ly married). 6-Fraise
7-A famous movie astor
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(abbr)
Laik
10mm. parent 11-Aim:
15—Unit of weight (abbr.)- 18-What baby calle father 120-Famous movie actress
21-A ilmb
22-Fabulous bird 24-Famous movie setrass 32-Bopped up. SkaRústia
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41—Recalving offiwe» (abbṛ.) -
46-Kind of trem 49-A doctrine or.system 61-+-Accomplish
| $2-Leiin.fon“That lo" (abbr.)
‚ (The solution, of the above cross-word puzzle wilę appear in to-morrow's ""China Mail" along with a new
cross-word puzzle.)
YESTERDAY'S SOLUTION.
JPONDAR: SHIRABO
179907 ́ABIA_R ON. COP RT BE DEA E WAS BAOVNER OSPREYS
SAMAA
26. It was suggested to us that these difficulties would be greatly reduced if a semi-automudle form of apparatus capable of being officers could be installed. IE operated by one of the ships semi-automatic transmitting and receiving apparatus were carried. 19. Regulation No. 3 requires it would probably be sufficient for that each certificated officer, whe-one skilled operator only to be cur- ther on or off duty shall carry vied since it would not be newes rounds of ammunition. It was watch. We consider, however, opportunities of such co-operation Superintendent of Police is not urged upon us that it is unreason that the mere emission of a dis- and we consider that whenever the Guilds were that the Captain his person a revolver and 25sary for him to keep continuous. occur, they should be utilised to suitable person to exercise superable to insist on the application tress signal unaccompanied by an the fullest extent possible subject vision of the anti-piracy range of this regulation to engineer indication of the position of the o the necessary limitations im- ments, which duty should be taken officers when actually engaged in ship would not be sufficient. The
ever by the Naval authorities: that the Indian guards which engine rooms. The representa tress signal does not give a aummarised in a series of resolu-China..
6. We are however sensible that ships are required to carry are tive of the Admiralty concurred ship's position may be met by the Bons passed at a combined muet-1 ink of cambers of the swo Guilds in existing circumstances it would not amenable to the authority of in this view. We accordingly re- reply that the approximate post- expect anything the masters of the ships and are commend that this regulation tion of a ship on a regular run at held on the 3rd of February, 1924, be and communicated to the Colonial approaching the complete suppres- useless for tiefence purposes: that should be modified in such a way any given time is readily ascer Secretary, Hongkong, it is letter son of the hands of pirates which the carrying of arms which may as to relieve the engineer officers tainable but we consider it to be unted the 4th of February. 1924. Infest these waters. It is there- easily fall into the hands of the of this obligation when actively advisable that, ships should be their duties in the able to get into communication fore very "necessary that in the pirates is an added danger ever engaged on
engine room..
with each other. Danger Zone there should be as if the desire to obtain them is not
20. We were much impressed, 27. We were informed by the effective a system of "precaution- direct incentive to piratica! ary measures as can be devised attacks; that the structural re- and maintained with such requirements prescribed by the by the statement made by the representatives of the Mercantile
Naval Intelligence Officer before Marine Department Board of their responsibilities in the mat- Regulations are à hindrance to sources as are available.
the working of the ships: that the Coroner in connection with Trade, that experiments with ter of the insurance of their the Tai Lee Piracy. We considerautomatic wireless apparatus officers but is intended to supple- 7. The system in force at the generally the chances of success-
statement has such a had given good resuits in this ment such arrangements as may tithe of our enquiry may briefly fully resisting a surprise attack that this
are so slight that if (as they are direct bearing on what we regard country, but that, at the time of be made by the Companies."
We are in complete agreement be described as follows:-
At the beginning of the year required to do by the regulations) as the crux of the whole matter, our enquiry, it was not certain Hongkong Harbour, unless some, there were four of His Majesty's the master and other certificated Viz, the maintenance of a proper whether the apparatus would be with the principle underlying this Gun-boats engaged in patrolling cfficer "Resist to the uttermost." state of discipline on ships plying successful under tropicul condi- announcement. In our view the (3) There shall be at once in-the danger zone, and later on n they are faced by almost certain in the Danger Zone, that we are ticns. In order to test this, a responsibility for making pro augurated a proper system of reserve gun-boat, was put into death; and that in view of the justified in making the following ship fitted with such apparatus vision for the dependants of was on its way to India and it was their officers should rest with the and not with the "The conditions under which hoped that at no distant date. it ship owners, commission with a crew lent by absence of adequate provision for quotations from it: patrol in the Danger Zone.
(4) That all vessels subject tone of His Majesty's ships on the their dependents, it is unreason officers were called upon to serve would be known whether the ap- Government. In the first instance Piracy Regulations shall have station. In addition four armed ble not to allow them to exercise wireless telegraphy installed and bunches were fitted out by the their discretion, as to the degree in these ships are such that the paratus could be regarded as suf- therefore we consider that the Government, with of resistance which should be ordinary cleanliness, discipline ficiently effective to be licensed by Guilds should make every endea vour to induce the Companies to and efficiency of a British ship the Board of Trade. under the control of a competent Hongkong
offered. civilian crews and commanded by
28. We recommend therefore institute a system of insurance musrator signed on the Articles.
14. We understand that in cannot be maintained by them.
If, however, the (5) That insurance be auto- Naval Officers with Naval gun
arrangements every case in which a piratical The fact that they are on a 24 that the fitting of some form of voluntarily. matically
(Later, effected for every crews. Master. Officer and Engineer, were made for the complete man attack has been successful, it has hours agreement makes their wireless aparatus, and the carry-ship owners are obdurate, we con whose duty takes him into the ning of these launches by naval been found that the Piracy Pe- position so insecure that many de ing of trained operators should be sider that the Hongkong Govern- gulations, have, in some essential not take any trouble to exercise made obligatory on all ships sub-ment.should consider the question Danger Zone, the Premium for crews).
In addition to the maintenance respects. been disregarded. We command over their ships which ject to the Piracy Regulations of making it obligatory on them. such Insurance.to be paid with
boatswain, and compradores. miralty should be asked to con- adequately or to defray the cost. the money at present paid as by these patrols the "Piracy Re- have also had cited to us instances are entirely in the hands of pilot, and that as a corollary the Ad- either to insure their officers an adequate Government It is impossible to expect sider that steps should be taken to of wages to the guards, in the event gelations" issued by the Hong-of attacks which have falled.
15. In the light of these reports of them being removed from the keng Government require inter
alia, that all certificated officers we are satisfied that if the grilles the conditions outlined above render the Naval vessels patrol scheme of insurance.
to attract men capable ufling the Danger Zone continuously We have the honour to be, Sir, vessels.
carrying ·But the regulations, able to receive distress calls from Your obedient servants, (6) That every case of piracy shall be armed at all times while required by the regulations are
by or
their personal in-river ateamers. shall be the subject of enquiry at the ship is in the "Danger Zone" properly constructed and kept
as that the ship must be provided closed the guards properly posted fluence of rendering their ships Harbour Office fas
20. In view, however, of the possible after the outrage) with with bullet proof dodgers, screens, and disciplined, the passengers unpopular with pirates. At pre-information given to us as to the the Harbour Master as President grille, and barbed wire entangle-restricted to their proper quarters
sent the owners regard British experiments with automatic wire- of the Court, which should consist ments to the satisfacion of the and the ships officers, property Officers as a necessary evil which less apparatus which were being of active Mercantile Marine Harbour Master, in order to render armed, there is very little chance Officers of both departments, the vital parts of the ship of their being taken by surprise must be made to cost a little as conducted, we consider that the
not possible, and they will
question of the type of apparatus with the addition of one active defensible. A scheme of defence and every chance of their being hesitate to dismiss a good man to be prescribed should be
fer each ship is drawn up by a able to resist successfully and who does not fall in with their defered.
"the attacks which might be made, ideas, and put in place any one (7) That a substantial reward Committee consisting of
The revenue realised by the The dimensions are length 338: lie offered for information which Assistant Harbour Master, the We are, moreover, convinced that from the water front who will leads to the arrest of any person Captain Superintendent of Police, the knowledge that all ships are privately agree to take less wages to the lack of adequate prevision kong last year, the financial index Net tonnage 2,080, gross 3.494
30. The fifth resolution refers sale of postage stamps in Hong feet, breadth 49 and depth 23.9. for the dependants of officers who of postal transactions, showed at implicated in any piratical attack. the master, and (if the owner so in an efficient state of prepared-
(8) That a reward should be desires) a representative appoint ness would act as a real deterrent than the Guild rate. paid in all cases of seizure of armsed by the owner. The Regulations to piratical attacks. This view is compensation are made attractive may be injured or lose their lives increase of $47,129 27 over the formerly. had the Kwangchow
prescribe the number of rockets, borne out by the fact (as we were (9) That these Resolutions be Verey lights, arms and rounds of informed) that the ships of the at once presented to the Honour-ammunition to be carried; and the more reputable lines, by which the able the Colonial Secretary for the carrying of specified numbers of regulations are observed and good consideration of His Excellency armed guards. The Regulations discipline enforced, have been the Officer. Administering the niso provide for the control and immune from attack, Government, and a detailed reply search of ships, passengers and requested in time to present to goods before sailing, and for other this meeting which stands matters incidental to the carrying adjourned till Sunday, 17th Febru- cut of the Regulations. ary, 1924, at the same time and place for the purpose of receiving
Naval Officer.
and/or ammunition,
..such reply.
soon
THE CONFERENCE'S VIEW.
4. We have held two meetings.
At our first meeting held on the 17th of June. 1924, there was also present, besides the members of the Committee, Sir J. Jamieson (His Majesty's Consul-General, Canton) and representatives of the Treasury, the War Office, and the India Office. At our second meeting, held on the 10th of July,
"Unless pay. conditions and
Insurance..
A. G.. M. FLETCHER,
E. R. CARSON.
..
S. P. WATERLOW.
G. GRINDLE.
+
W. TOMKINSON.
J. J. PASKIN (Secretary).
by reason of their resistance-to | figures for 1923. piratical attacks. We recognize
that this matter cannot fail to
-tó
COTS DRUS COURTS EVADES S BRAC
COON S AA BRO ALL PLACING' USELE PANI U ELK N EBASTO DOS EN ED RY SETH 8 TSAR STRAYED BASTIO
OUT FROM HOME.
NEW STEAMER FOR
1
S.S.
C. N. CO.
"ANKING"
On Tuesday there arrived here China a new vessel for the Navigation Co., Ltd. in the s.s. Anking, for the Hongkong, Singapore, Swatow and Amoy run. Built at Greenock, the Anking came out here from Cardiff in 35 days at an average" speed of 11.16 knots. In a measured, landed trial bere she accomplished 134. knots.
Captain Plunkett Cole
who
on the Swatow-Bangkok rua fa the master of the new yeasel. The other officers good officers cannot be expected to stay in river steamers.
Unless you have good officers have an effect on the mind of an The revenue collected by the are:-Mr. A. Dickenson, Chief in river steamers you will never officer confronted with the neces- Postal Department last year from Officer; Mr. L W. Jones, Second Officer; Mr. R. K. Stott, Third get regulations carried out."
amounted sity of deciding the degree of re- radio-telegrams 21. In commenting on this sistance to offer when attacked, 369.495.41, an increase of $23,383 17 Engineer; Mr. G. S
Officer; Mr. H Thompson, Chief Arthur 16. We therefore do not con- statement the Governor of Hong-j and we are in entire sympathy on the amount collected In 1933. Second Engineer; Mr. A.J. Duggan, sider that a case has been made kong has written as follows: with the views of the Guilds that Advices of vessels signalled at Third Engineer: Mr. W. S. Smith, out for any radical revision of the "It should be understood that existing regulations. We under- these remarks do not apply to the proper provision should be made. the lighthouses yielded S016 40, Fourth Engineer
31. We are informed that the and semaphore messages $11.65.
The Old Heungeban. 8. As we understand them the stand that, particularly in the wall run European-controlled Hongkong Government had an-
It is expected that the salvaged view of the Guilde (so far as the case of old ships, full compliance ships, whose immunity from nounced on the 25th of April,
.. Heungshan, now undergoing first three of the Resolutions with the structural requirements attack by pirates is probably due 1924, that in the event of the Some 3,243 actions were las refitting at Shamsulpo after being quoted in paragraph 3 of this of the Regulations would entail to the knowledge that the regula-death or disablement of an officer stituted in the Summary Court overhauled in Talkoo, will re-enter. report are concerned) was that considerable expense, to the tions are properly complied with, on a ship on the Hongkong regis-last year as against 1,973 in 1923. the Hongkong-Canton-Macaotrade the defensive measures at present owners and that accordingly the but to the Chinese owned vesselster, by redson of piratical attacks, The claims amounted to $607.632 27 in July under the flag of the Yik laid down in the Piracy Regula- Hongkong Government has in the which carry British Officers mere grants would be made by Governas agrost“ $355.439 12 in 1923, Wing S.S. Co., which is said to tions should be replaced com- past allowed some latitude in cases ly in order to comply with the ment to the officer or his estate and the amounts recovered wore have acquired wharfage rights at pletely by a system of effective where a strict enforcement of the conditions requisite to obtain provided the Piracy Regulations 290.98 as against $127.91662 both ports. Naval patrols throughout the regulations would appear to entail registration in Hongkong,
the eclat hardship. We were in- 22: We consider that if the Our attention was, however,
aldrests amount-Sengon Streat have been properly observed: 1923. The number of rent A
Issued was 655 The master of d Danger Zone:
“Admiralty's”. Diffralty, fornied, however, that the policy Guilds concerned could contrive, drawn to the following paragraph
$100.843.94 of which the Kowloon Magiatesćy 9. In regard to this proposal we of the Government for some time by negotiation with the ship in the "Gazette" Notification in
og 13% were recovered, as for falling to have slike were informed by the representa past has been directed towards owners concerned, to improve the which this scheme was
4671362.709.06.and of skimmed milk s tives of the Admiralty that it the more stringent enforcement of statur of the officers in these badly nounced :—
respectively in 1923 labels in English and would be a matter of extreme the regulations. We consider that managed ships, so that they would "This undertaking on the part
collected amounted to that milk aliquid abt bey difficulty to organise such an this is the proper course to follow, be in a position to enforce and of Government is not intended to
Vainst $3,088,00 in 1923, children under one year. extensive system of Naval patrol and we recommend that the Hong- maintain proper discipline, the relieve Shipping Companies of
an
to