1
2
Sir Edward Grey, relative to the measures adopted for the suppression of piracy in the inland waters of China.
2. I paid an official visit to his Excellency the Viceroy of Canton on the His Excellency 28th February, and took the opportunity to mention the subject to him. informed me that a flotilla of about fourteen steam launches were to be built and placed under the orders of Admiral Li for patrolling duties on the West River, and that it was proposed to have a small number of steam launches under the Commissioner of Customs to co-operate with Admiral Li's flotilla. His Excellency said that he saw no objection to the proposal and that communications between Canton and Peking on the subject were proceeding.
3. Although the Viceroy spoke of this co-operation by the Commissioner of Customs, I am doubtful if Admiral Li would carry out such an arrangement in its entirety. In my opinion, it is essential that the Customs authorities should have the necessary authority to deal with the situation independently, in case the Chinese show any laxity in co-operation, which may be expected sooner or later; it should not be left to Admiral Li to guide the situation, or to direct the Customs authorities to patrol such and such waters, or to take such and such action.
4. With respect to paragraph 4 of your despatch to Sir Edward Grey, I would point out that very little would be gained by these launches steaming up and down the river; such is the only procedure open to our own river gun-boats, and is attended with poor results. The Commissioner of Customs should have sufficient power to enable his launches to visit all parts of the Delta, to search any vessels, and to arrest and hand over to the proper authorities auy criminal or suspect.
5. If the report is true that the launches being built by the Viceroy's order are only to cost 5,000 dollars each, they will not be of much good; and the six Customs launches, if of proper size and speed, would do far better service. I think Sir Robert Hart does not realize why speed is so necessary; it is true that there is no "piracy" properly speaking, no piratical craft to chase; it is more often the case of a certain number of passengers murderously attacking and robbing the remainder. But speed is absolutely necessary for rapidity of communications, for a launch to reach a certain spot by a certain time; and our own gun-boats, two of the three being very slow, have often failed to act in time, in consequence of not having sufficient speed to get over the ground fast enough against a strong current.
6. I gather that Sir Robert Hart is not much in sympathy with the proposal that the Customs authorities should take up this duty, and I quite understand and sympathize with his objection to provide six launches out of Customs funds, as this is so entirely a matter for the Chinese Government; but if the initial cost is borne by the latter, perhaps Sir Robert Hart would agree to the cost of their repair and maintenance being met from Customs funds.
"
Robin on the 7. A copy of a recent report from the Commanding Officer of the state of affairs in the West River is inclosed, and I would express my opinion that the only means by which such piratical acts as those described in his letter can be stopped is to intrust to the Customs authorities the powers which I have advocated in para- graph 4.
8. I am sending a copy of this letter to His Britannic Majesty's Consul-General at Canton.
(
3
The piece-goods boxes were broken open and the contents taken away. The estimated number of armed men and confederates was fifty.
The stolen property included some of the effects of Von Strauch, the Acting Commissioner at Nanning; also a British firm at this port had goods to the value of 1,750 taels broken into and stolen.
Tantai Wong, who has taken active measures, has recovered a quantity of the stolen goods and considers he has five of the ringleaders.
Owing to other outrages in this proximity, Taotai Wong is proceeding to the vicinity on Saturday the 16th instant.
I regret to report that the British launch "Hong Hing," a stern-wheeler proceeding from Wuchow to Kuli-Hsien, struck a rock off Circular Island (some 35 miles above Wuchow) and sunk at 2 P.M. on Friday the 8th instant. Forty passengers, the compradore, three crew, and five guard soldiers were drowned and all cargo and
papers lost.
The Chinese New Year has passed without incident at Wuchow. Taotai Wong has been most friendly and hospitable and did me the honour to invite me to accompany him as his guest on his journey to pacify and punish the country in the vicinity of the outrage that I have already submitted.
I submit I have inspected the following launches: "Tsun Fat," "Tung Wo," "Cheung Fat," and "Wung Fat."
The "Tung Wo, 502," had no name and a wrong number, and has been reported to Canton and sent there for resurvey, which was overdue. The behaviour of the British launches is, I have the honour to report, improving.
I have, &c. (Signed)
COLPOYS C. WALCOTT.
I have, &c. (Signed)
A. W. MOORE.
Sir,
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Lieutenant-Commander Walcott to Vice-Admiral Sir A. Moore.
"Robin," at Wuchow, February 16, 1907.
I HAVE the honour to report that the West River between Wuchow and Canton appears quiet, and no information of piracies below Wuchow has been obtained between the 1st and 15th February.
The country about 18 to 30 miles abore Wuehow appears somewhat unsettled, and I have the honour to report that a daring robbery occurred on the 24th January near Yun-Wo-Hu, a small market town in the district 18 miles up the river.
Armed robbers attacked four large junks at anchor about 9 P.M. by means of sampans. The attack was also covered by an armed party on shore.
204