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I also inclose copy and translation of his reply. Shortly after the receipt of this, I called on his Excellency and placed the matter before him as strongly as possible, dwelling on the long list of practically unpunished piracies of British launches which had led up to the final murderous outbreak on the "Sainam.” He spoke of the Sainam to justice. energetic steps which had been taken to bring the pirates of the This I admitted, but pointed out that had such action been taken in the former cases the "Sainam" case would probably not have occurred.
He inquired about Dr. Macdonald, and said, if the family were in want, be would try and collect a few thousand dollars for them from the charitable Societies. When, however, I mentioned roughly the sum at which I had calculated the indemnity, he said that, the Treaty obligation of punishing the offenders having been carried out, it was impossible for him to discuss an indemnity, and made the usual allusion to the empty Treasury. Feeling that it will be useless to try further to obtain even a discussion of the claim, I send this report, to which I am adding a list showing the amounts claimed by the sufferers in the "Suinam" piracy, together with what after careful consideration Vouchers for things stolen appears to me would be fair compensation in each case. and destroyed cannot of course be obtained, and I have only been able in most cases to make a rough estimate of what was the probable loss, making allowance for the exaggeration which former experience tells me is common in such matters.
As far as I can ascertain, the indemnities in the case of the Lienchow massacre were only paid under pressure on the Chinese Government brought to bear by the United States' Government at Washington; and in the present case I see no prospect of obtaining a solution on the spot, unless, as stated in my telegram No. 16, the Viceroy is informed by his Government that the claim is fustifiable in principle, and that he is expected to discuss details with me. The position seems perfectly natural when it is borne in mind that the present Viceroy is being called upon to find funds to pay for occurrences which happened before he arrived, and for which personally he cannot be said to be responsible.
I have, &c. (Signed)
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
R. W. MANSFIELD.
Consul-General Mansfield to the Viceroy of Canton.
Your Excellency,
Canton, April 5, 1907. "Sainam" left Canton for ON the 13th July last year the British steamer Wuchow. She had arrived within some 30 li of Samshui, when pirates, who had come on board disguised as passengers, attacked the Indian watchmen and the captain aud engineer of the ship with revolvers. A passenger, Dr. Macdonald, was killed, and the captain, engineer, and three watchmen were all more or less wounded. The pirates took charge of the engine-room and steered the ship to Fu Wan, where they dropped anchor, and boats being in waiting there, they proceeded to empty all the cabins and completely loot the ship, loading the boats with the spoil. Having completed their task, they landed and dispersed.
The persons injured were-
1. Dr. Macdonald, a passenger, who for twenty-two years has carried on his hospital and school work at Wuchow, shot dead through head and body. He leaves a widow and two children.
2. Captain Joslin, shot through the chest. He was taken to hospital and the bullet extracted from the back. The wound healed and he returned to work, but his health suffered so much from the shock that the doctors stated it was necessary for him to return to England, which he has done. It is doubtful if he will be able to command a ship in future.
3. Engineer Seggie who was badly burned by a stinkpot, and whose life was saved by his concealing himself behind the boilers. His health has also severely suffered.
4. Khan Maliomed, a watchman, had his jaw fractured by a bullet, and is still under treatment. The injury is permanent.
5. Ali Akhbar, a watchman, shot in the jaw.
6. Sherif Hullab, a watchman, wounded in several places by bullets, fortunately
not very seriously.
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All these, besides the comprador, the crew, and the passengers, had their property looted.
I reported the case to my Minister, and received instructions to forward particulars of the damage done, and not to put in any claim for compensation until they had been approved by His Majesty's Secretary of State. I have now received his instructions to present to your Excellency the request that due compensation may be made to the sufferers by this piratical attack. His Majesty's Government are of opinion that the fact that no less than thirty odd launches under the British flag have been pirated during the three years preceding the present case show that the Provincial Government have not hitherto shown such diligence in suppressing piracy as they were bound to do, and that this attack on a British ship is the consequence of their neglect.
I deeply regret that my duty compels me to present these claims to your Excellency, who have only been a short time here, and who personally shows so earnest a desire to reduce to order the turbulent population of the two Kuang,
I do not forward details of the claims, as His Majesty's Secretary of State considers some of them exaggerated. I hope, however, that your Excellency will depute a a special officer to discuss them with me in a fair and reasonable manner.
I have, &c. (Signed)
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
R. W. MANSFIELD.
Viceroy of Canton to Consul-General Mansfield.
Sir,
Canton, March 7, 1907. I HAVE just received your despatch with regard to the case in which, in July last year, the steam-ship "Sainam," while en route, was pirated by robbers disguised as passengers. You say that in this case it is necessary to discuss the indemnity to be paid for the Chinese and foreigners killed, robbed, and wounded; and you therefore ask me to depute a special deputy to discuss such an indemnity on an equitable basis.
I have the honour to observe that the late Viceroy Ts'en, as bound by Treaty, gave orders for a vigorous search for and the arrest and punishment of the culprits.
Also two of the rifles stolen were recovered and returned to you. When I arrived I further gave orders for additional launches accompanied by soldiers to patrol, so as to prevent a recurrence of such an outrage.
As regards the discussion of an indemnity for the life taken and those wounded and robbed on board the steamer, there is no precedent for such a method of dealing with the case, neither is it so stated in the Treaties. It cannot therefore be enter- tained. I am sending a deputy to speak to you about it, and as in duty bound send you this reply to your despatch.
Compliments.
[Seal of Viceroy.]
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