Discretion must be exercised by Officers in Command in this respect. The Mandarin embarked may describe a Fleet of Opium Smugglers as Pirates, but it is no part of the duty of Her Majesty's Officers to interfere with these vessels so erroneously described.
A Chinese vessel pillaged in the Canton, or other Rivers, should appeal to the Native Authorities for redress; but if she is a Colonial Registered vessel or one trading to Hongkong, the particulars should be at once referred to Her Majesty's Consul at Canton, who will call upon the Native Authorities to take proper action.
XIV.
In considering applications which may be made to the Officer in Command of Her Majesty's Ships by competent Chinese Authorities to aid in the suppression of piracy, care must be taken to draw the distinction between those acts of violence on the High Seas properly so called, and those robberies on or near the Coast which should be controlled by the Chinese Police and not by Her Majesty's Ships, and they are to bear in mind that their interference as a general rule is to be confined to cases where British interests are affected.
XV.
Claims having been made for share of the Value of Vessels captured in joint expeditions with Chinese Cruizers, Officers in Command are to confine their claims for the future to cases tried before a Vice-Admiralty Court, when an application for award in consideration of the services rendered may be made in the manner indicated in Article 101 of the Station Orders.
XVI.
My General Memorandum, No. 16, of 25th April, 1870, on this subject is hereby cancelled.
Given under my hand on board Her Majesty's Despatch Vessel Salamis, at Shanghai, 1st June, 1871.
To the COMMODORE,
(Signed)
HENRY KELLETT.
The Respective CAPTAINS, AND OFFICERS COMMANDING
Her Majesty's Ships and Vessels on the China Station.
By Command of the Commander-in-Chief.
(Signed)
J. W. LISHMAN, Secretary.