Instead of this the comparative impunity with which such attacks can be made on foreign vessels has not only put a serious check to the trade but if allowed to pass with the fining of the heads of obscure individuals and the payment of a trifling indemnity will serve as a direct encouragement to the Chinese to continue their obstructive policy.
The matter is not merely one of asking for a just payment of consequential damages to business entailed by this lawlessness but in fact resolves itself into the question as to whether British property is to receive protection under the British flag.
The strong anti-foreign policy of the late Viceroy "Shun" and the Provincial Treasurer at Canton is unquestionably in a large measure responsible for this and similar outrages. This Chamber has repeatedly in the past expressed the belief that a very little serious energy on the part of the High Provincial Authorities would result in making the waterways of the delta safe highways for peaceful trade.
Unless His Majesty's Government takes some practical step to show the Imperial Government and the local officials that it is determined to see full protection accorded to all trading under the British flag, this flouting of our flag will be but a step to further outrages and will still more increase the difficulty so often and so long complained of, of forcing the Chinese officials to carry out their obligations towards us.
While this Committee considers the claim put forward by the owners of the S.S. "Sainan" perfectly just and reasonable we would beg to point out that the Companies concerned are wealthy Corporations and not seriously in need of the few thousand pounds asked for, it is the principle involved which is of paramount importance namely that the Chinese officials must be made to realise their responsibilities and that, should they, through their supineness or tacit permission, allow outrages to be perpetrated on British subjects, they will be held fully accountable and be forced to make complete reparation for the ...