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hundred, or even several hundreds of cases of piracy were reported
every month, but during the last few years, since the vigorous mea-
sures which I have taken, such cases, although they have of course
occurred, have been far less common. but the province is extensive
with a vast population of mixed elements, and swarms with brigands.
No measures to hunt out and arrest these men can secure their
extirpation in a few hours. Even in Europe cases of robbery and
murder occur in spite of the fact that the police are everywhere
and the strictest precautions are adcoted. Human nature, we know,
is not the same, and robbers exist not only in China but in every
country.
it is my earnest desire to secure the suppression of
piracy, as you urge me to do, and your statement that no troopS
have been detached for that purpose can only be due to an imperfect
knowledge of the actual state of affairs. It is in no way incumbent
upon me to acquaint you in detail with such matters of internal
administration, out I see no objection, under the circumstances to
my giving you a general idea of my dispositions.
There are 83 oattalions of Gendarmerie in the province,
in five divisions, of which Canton is the Central Division with 25
battalions, districuted amongst the Namhoi, Pan Yu, Hsiang Shan,
Tung Kuan, Ksin Hui, Shun Te, hsin Ning, usia 40, Hua asien, Sanshui
Ching Yuan, Tsong Chang, Lan Men, Tsung hua, hao Shan, and Kai Ping
districts.
The prefectures of Hui Chou, Ch'ao Chou, and Chia Ying
constitute the astern Division with 17 battalions distributed
between kusi shan, Fo Lo, Ho Ping, Lune Ch'uan, Chang Ning, Lien Ping, Lu Feng, Hai Peng, Yun an, bai Yang, Chao Yang, Chieh Yang, Yao Ping, Cheng hai, Chia Ying, hsing Ning and Chang Le.
Kiungchow forms the Southern Division and has 5 battalions
and stationed at Kiung Stan, Yai Chou, Yan Chou, Line Shui, kan sn,
bin Kao.
The Western Division is composed of the prefectures of