273
:
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assistance of members of the crew.
16.
The course which affords most promise of
success is, in my opinion, a rigorous enforcement of the Piracy Regulations so that the pirates will feel that the risk of failure and the certain loss of life to which they are exposed will be such as to outweigh any reasonable prospect of success.
But, as I have already indicated, I do not believe that any method - patrol, convoy, search or guards
The only will prevent occasional attempts by desparate men. sure method of eradicating piracy is to convince intending pirates that they will not be allowed to profit by their crime but that they will be followed to their villages and brought to justice. At present this is impossible and it will continue to be so while the conditions in the Kwongtung
The Cantonese authorities Province remain as they now are.
are, I believe, genuinely anxious to suppress piracy and as I have already reported they have done a considerable amount of good work in rounding up pirate villages and executing pirates but they are not strong enough to tackle the question on a large scale, especially as a large part of the province is held by their enemies. In short, the piracy problem is only one aspect of the deplorable anarchy which extends over the greater part of China and which will continue to exist until the present chaos of intrigue and militarism gives place to a unified China under a Government which can enforce its authority in the provinces.
I have the honour to be,
sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
7.2. Stutte
Governor,
&0.
ETISH RAE TOMT 5-MG 125S