501
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action of this Government should be urged as a reason that the Viceroy should comply with the demands made, and I understand from the Consul-General that he has repeatedly used this argument, but without effect. If the threat of the withdrawal of these friendly offices on the part of this Government were made operative, the situation created would, in my opinion, be more difficult than that which would arise had the Colony even sent troops to assist in the suppression of piracy.
4. I regret that this despatch has extended to such length, but I have desired to put your Excellency very fully in possession of the reasons which prompt me to deprecate the proposed action, except in the very last resort, and that, in my view, would not arise until some overt act of hostility had taken place which amounted to a rupture of friendly relations between China and Great Britain.
5. My opinion has not been asked as regards the action which has hitherto been taken (though, by your courtesy, I have lately been placed in possession of all that has been done). The action at present undertaken by the British patrol on the inland waters of the West River, &c., is, I understand, limited to the examination of vessels flying the British flag and the search for unauthorized arms upon such vessels. understand further that the so-called "pirates" are believed to be chiefly villagers inhabiting the riverside villages, who are prompted to these excesses either by failure of crops or by cupidity, and that the "boat" population do not (or only rarely) join these piratical bands. If I am right in these promises, and if it is desired to bring greater pressure on the Viceroy than the patrol, with its existing limitations of action, can effect, it would seem to me that the extension of search to vessels bearing the Chinese flag (which presumably are the only ones which commit piratical acts) would increase the pressure-a course I understand to have been covered by your Excellency's proposals in March last. The Viceroy might also be urged to locate troops in the riverside district without delay, and to issue an order that the chief official of the district in which an act of piracy occurred would be summarily deprived of office. The effectual action taken by the Taotai of Wuchau would seem to indicate that it lies within the power of these district officials to suppress piracy if they desire to do so, and these demands (since they do not involve foreign control) would probably not be repugnant to bis Excellency,
The Foreign Office has suggested the destruction of villages harbouring pirates and robbers, but your Excellency would probably consider that the landing of armed parties to search villages for arms would probably necessitate the dispatch of troops, and would not improbably, in the present state of feeling, give rise to a conflagra- tion. Such a measure could not therefore be resorted to, except as a final one after due naval and military preparations. It might also prompt the Chinese Government to come to terms if they are informed that the cost of the British patrol would be claimed from the Chinese Government, as was proposed by His Majesty's Minister in his interview with the Tsung-li Yamên on the 18th February, 1899.
Sir,
I am unaware whether this has been already done.
I have, &c. (Signed)
F. D. LUGARD,
Inclosure 7 in No. 1.
Admiral Sir A. Moore to Governor Sir F. Lugard.
C
King Alfred," at Hong Kong, December 26, 1907.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of your Excellency's Confidential letter of the 24th instant, in which you were good enough to furnish me with a full expression of your views in regard to the suggestion made by the Consul- General at Cantou that the friendly legislation of the Hong Kong Government in the interests of China should be withheld,
2. I note and fully understand your Excelleney's reasons for deprecating such course of action, except as a last resort following on the rupture of friendly relations, and I do not myself believe in the efficacy of threats, but as the main object of our increased patrol is to afford that protection to British trade which the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce asked for in July 1906, and which the Chinese local authorities have hitherto failed to provide, it did occur to me that, if the Viceroy was reminded of the friendly offices of the Hong Kong Government, and that the Colony was directly interested in the speedy settlement of the questions at issue, it might possibly help matters.
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3. I will inform his Excellency the British Minister at Peking and His Britannic Majesty's Consul-General, Canton, of your Excellency's views regarding the latter's proposal, and of your suggestions as to the alternative measures that might be taken.
I have, &c. (Signed A. W. MOORE,
Admiral and Commander-in-Chief.)
Sir,
Inclosure 8 in No. 1.
Governor Sir F. Lugard to Admiral Sir A. Moore.
Government House, Hong Kong, December 27, 1907.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge your Excellency's letter of this date in reply to mine of the 24th instant on the subject of the measures to be taken for the suppression of piracy in Canton waters.
2. There appears to me to be a slight misapprehension in the second paragraph of your letter, which I would desire to correct. Your Excelleney says: “It did occur to me that, if the Viceroy was reminded of the friendly offices of the Hong Kong Govern- ment and that the Colony was directly interested in the speedy settlement of the questions at issue, it might possibly help matters." To such a course of action I have no objection whatever to offer, and, indeed, I understood that, acting on the instructions of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs dated the 16th August, His Britannic Majesty's Minister had made use of this argument, while the Consul-General at Canton told me personally that he had done so repeatedly. In a conversation with him on the 22nd instant, I informed him of the recent legislation regarding seditious publications, to which I alluded in paragraph 2 (c) of my letter to you of the 24th December. He was not aware of this Ordinance, and I suggested he should make use of the argument that it was a fresh proof of the friendly disposition of this Government.
3. There appears to me, however, to be a considerable difference between the use of the argument that Hong Kong has continued to render friendly offices to the Viceroy which he ought to reciprocate and the threat of the withdrawal of these offices, a threat which it was the purpose of my letter to show would be difficult of enforcement, I regret that I did not make myself clear on this important distinction, which has necessitated my troubling your Excellency with a further letter on this subject.
4. Proposals were at one time made that this Colony should take an active part in the repressive measures adopted on the Chinese waterways, and, if your Excellency considers that any such co-operation would assist the objects of the naval patrol, I should esteem it a favour if you would afford me an opportunity of discussing the question with you.
5. The matter at issue appears to me to divide itself into two very distinct parts:~~~
(a.) The obtaining of sufficient guarantees against further piratical outrages; and (b.) Indemnity for the "Sainam.
The first of these is by far the most difficult,
J
In regard to the second, the Central Government appears to have admitted responsibility, and the next step would seem to be the issue of an Imperial Edict ordering the Viceroy to pay the amount claimed. Such an Edict would, I presume, be obeyed, and, if it is not the final course, would appear to be that proposed by Sir John Jordan on the 25th July, viz., the taking of a material guarantee for payment.
I have, &c.
(Signed) F. D. LUGARD.
P.S. Since the above was written I have received your Excellency's despatch of the 26th December inclosing copies of telegrams to and from Peking of the 25th and 26th instant, for which I am much obliged.
F. D. L.
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