Registry No. 47060/13
Draft.
Sir: -
REC
C. Q
36499
Brut 22 OCT 13
337
F. O.,
October
1913.
The Secretary
China Coast Officers
Guild,
4B, Peking Road,
Shanghai.
With reference to your letter of
the 30th ultimo regarding the "Tai On"
piracy case I am directed by Secretary
Sir E. Grey to inform you that a careful
enquiry has been made into the circum-
stances connected with the attack upon
the "Tai On" which has disclosed the
fact that it was carried out by a gang
who embarked on the vessel and smuggled
arms on board in Hongkong territory
and that consequently no grounds are
apparent upon which a claim for damages
could be made against the Chinese
Government.
The Commodore at Hongkong has
reported that the existing patrol,
which
has been remarkably successful in
preventing attacks by boats or from
the
塾
ome
adia