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ALTERNATIVES TO THE FRESENT SYSTEM.
In my opinion the only alternative to the present system is
to increase the number of armed launches available. If another
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5 armed launches were provided and manned by R.N. Officers and
men then the carrying of large armed guards and the sailing in con-
voy could be abolished. The system of grilles could also be very
much decreased.
With the present 4 armed launches plus 5 additional armed
launches a system of efficient patrols could be instituted covering
the Pearl River and from Wangmun to Kongmun. The number would
not be sufficient to cover the west River above Kaukong unless tho
patrol line elsewhere was weakened. It would also leave the
open sea gap between Hongkong waters and the Bocca Tigris forts
and Wangmun but as river steamers are gonerally in sight of each other in these parts a successful attempt to pirate them there
should be very difficult. It would leave the Macao traffic to
itself as at present.
With a permanent patrol as suggested not only would river
steamers and seagoing traffic be as safe or safer than at present
but all the enormous tow traffic would be a great deal better
protected. It must never be forgotten that there is an enormous
trade carried on in junk bottoms towed by launches. Many of these launches fly the British flag and a very large proportion of the traffic on these two main routes is en route to or from Hongkong. Once this patrol was in working order I consider that
(1)
Sailing in convey could be abolished.
(2)
Large armed guards on board ships abolished.
(3)
The grille system reduced to protection of the bridge
and Engine Room and cutting off the 1st class from the
remainder.
3cme armed protection would still be necessary on board and a
proper system. of signals to attract the attention of the patrols whilst passing through the intervals between patrol vessels institut- od for use in case of need.
One great source of weakness in all attempts to deal with
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