}
Į
:
as has always been the contention of this Government?
Personally I remain convinced that no
system of patrols can supply protection unless a ship is prepared to defend herself against an attack from within by a small body of determined men, but it is of course obvious that the greater the number of patrol vessels available the less is the chance of the pirates being able to get away with their booty and therefore the smaller is the risk of piracy.
7.
The provision of patrols for this purpose
is clearly a question for the Navy alone: this Government
has not the resources either in money or men that Bould
be required to furnish patrol vessels nor would it be within the competence of a Colonial Government to employ
armed forces in the territorial waters of China or on the
high seas. I can therefore only ask you to bring the
matter before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
and to urge that their Lordships should in the interests
of British trade and prestige so strengthen the naval
forces here as to provide for the establishment of a
system of patrols which will be adequate to safeguard
ships from external attack and, when coupled with
reasonable measures of self protection on board, to make
attempts at piracy from within too hazardous to be
attractive.
I am, as suggested by the Commander-in-
Chief, asking the Commodore's opinion as to the additional
forces which are needed but I do not desire to delay this
despatch by waiting for his reply.
8.
I have informed the Commander-in-Chief that
I concur in the suggestion in paragraph 13 of his letter that the Commodore should be officially associated with this Government when anti-piracy measures are being dealt with.
9.