for the suppression of Piracy
on their own coast.
Sie & Bounce in his Letter of
20th June 1864 says
as to Piracy be put down
"the Coast—it cannot be put down
" until the Chinese Govt prevent
" junks from carrying
heavy
guns
and the Chinese Government with some reason declines
" to prohibit junks until it
" has a force sufficient to protect "peaceful
Traders in its waters."
It seems clear that the Chinese
Govt has not the power, if it has the will, to establish such a flotilla as would be
effectually competent to deal
with Piracy in the inland
waters, bays and on their extensive
Coast line.
The great interests
of British Commerce in those Seas demand
that a systematic attempt should
be made, in concert with the other great maritime Powers, and with the consent of the Chinese Govt, to
afford that protection, which it is
unable to give.
The expense of an increase of
our Naval Force on the China
Station solely for
This Service, should in all fairness
be borne by the Chinese, who are unable to
perform
the duties
they owe to other Nations.