ere to AL M. 16520 083/1/00 to Colonial Ofici
C.O.
461
From The Commauier in Chief, China,
20th November 1899, No. 870/2760
To The Secretary, Admiralty, London.
"SANDPIPER"
Reco Rece 5 JAN 00
Reporting piracy of the Steamer "Cheong Kong"
up the West River.
8
Submitted for information. Cases of piracy or
robbery on the West River still continue to take place
although we have H.M.Ships "Sandpiper" and "Tweed", and
Torpedo Boat No.36 patrolling as far up as Wuchau.
2. These vessels have between them to cover a
distance of 195 miles of River besides many miles of
creeks, and, except the torpedo boat, neither of them has
a command of more than 9 and 7 knots speed respectively.
Their movements can be easily watched and advantage taken
of their being in some other part of the river to effect,
the robberies, especially if the natives at some of the
villages are, either from fear or interest, acting with
the Robbers, which is believed to be the case.
***
The Viceroy of Canton could no doubt put down
this lawlessness without much difficulty, if he would only
take vigorous action, but at present his ill will towards
us is so great since the Kowloon incident that he will do
nothing, and it is not at present to be regarded as
likely that he will take measures to suppress acts which
he knows injuriously affect out interests as much as
those of Chinese subjects, unless pressure is exerted
from