610
British Vessels at any time and at any place on the West River by H.M. Ships doing patrol work would help to alleviate the chances of piracies; nearly all the piracies having been carried out by so called passengers at places where their confederates were waiting. This searching; would not be necessary if my suggestion No: 2 were to come into torce.
4.
System of Signalling.
A year ago I started a system of signalling between H..Ships and British steamers on the West River, but partly owing to the lack of enthusiasm displayed by both parties, and partly owing to fre- quent changes in officers, those signals have not been a success, and I think that a special code
drawn up, published and strictly adhered to is necessary.
At present some difficulty is experienced
in making steamers dip their ensigns, no doubt they also have complaints to make re the answering dip.
The advisability of keeping the movements
of West River Flotilla confidential is in my opinion essential, especially in view of the fact that com- pradores both at Hongkong and other ports always evince great interest in learning our probable move- ments. A memorandum to this effect has been promulgat- ed by me to all Commanding Officers of Gunboats and Torpedo-boata.
With the addition of the two vessels mentioned in my suggestion No: 1, and with my sugges- tion No: 2 being brought into force, the West River shipping would, in my opinion, be sufficiently secure
to