2
We propose now to memorialize the Throne for an Imperial Decrec enjoining upon the Governor-General of the Liang Kuang Provinces the duty of employing additional troops, and of speedily freeing the district concerned from the presence of pirates, in order to afford protection to Chinese and foreign merchants and travellers.
We would there.. fore beg Her Majesty's Government not to feel any further anxiety.
We have the honour to request your Excellency to transmit this reply to your Government for their consideration and for the information of the Hong Kong Govern-
ment.
(Seal of Yamên.)
(Translation.) Sir,
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
The Tsung-li Yamên to Sir C. MacDonald.
Peking, December 15, 1899, WITH reference to the continued prevalence of piracy in Kuangtung Province we had the honour to inform your Excellency in our note of the 11th December, that we proposed to memorialize the Throne for an Imperial Decree enjoining upon the Governor- General of the Liang Kuang Provinces the duty of employing additional troops and of speedily freeing the district concerned from the presence of pirates, in order to afford protection to Chinese and foreign merchants and travellers.
We have now memorialized accordingly, and have been honoured by the receipt of an Imperial Rescript commanding the Governor-General of the Liang Kuang Provinces to give strict orders to the civil and military officials that genuine efforts must be made to suppress the pirates; that additional naval forces are to be employed, and measures adopted without delay to deal with the matter; that in every case of piracy a limit of time is to be fixed within which the arrest of the criminals must be effected; and that all possible steps must be taken to restore quiet in the whole district.
This Rescript has been reverently transcribed and forwarded to the Governor-General of the Liang Kuang Provinces for his guidance, and we have now the honour to com- municate it to your Excellency for transmission to Her Majesty's Government, and for the information of his Excellency the Governor of Hong Kong.
(Scal of Yamên.)
484