However,
It is quite clear that
such has been the result, and that
Criminals escaping to Hongkong
have
little prospect of receiving adequate punishment at the hands of the Chinese Authorities. It is there that this immunity is not enjoyed by all
Criminals in Chinese waters and that
those surrendered by
are at once surrendered to the Mandarins when captured on board Piratical craft in Chinese waters, where the greater portion of such crimes are generally effected. Those
captives are not frequent at present owing to Piracy having lately been rendered unprofitable and insecure
through the
increased activity of this Government
and Her Majesty's Cruisers.
Nevertheless at any moment
all the proceedings in Long Nee's
case may be repeated, and I submit that a repetition of those proceedings with
similar result is inconsistent
with the dignity of Her Majesty's Government, and the general
interests of Justice. I
may
add that it confers a singular
immunity
on
Pirates
guilty of the
worst
crimes in Chinese waters, so that a
conviction
in this Colony is impossible through
want of Jurisdiction, whilst the rendition
of
such Criminals to Chinese tribunals
must, as
shown above, result in their
escape from any adequate immediate punishment.