sir,
C.O.
Any further communication
should be addressed to:-
The Secretary of the Admiralty,
London, S.W. 1.
56758
L.P.-No. 8.
10 DEC 254dmiralty, 8. W. 1. 223
quoting "......4121/25 »
16th December
192 5
I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty to acquaint you that They have had under their
consideration your letter 42440/25 of 25th September 1925,
forwarding a submission from the Governor of Hong Kong that
the cost of running the four armed patrol launches on the
Canton Delta should be borne entirely by Imperial Funds,
2. The cost of running these launches has been taken over
entirely by the British Navy from 22nd August last since the
Hong Kong community can no longer be regarded as obtaining
any advantage from their maintenance. The present application
therefore relates to the expenses which were borne by the
Colony prior to 21st August 1925.
3. It does not appear to Their Lordships that the cost of the work of checking piracy in Chinese waters should fall
antirely upon Naval funda. Even on the High Seas there are
limits to the protection that the Navy can give to trade or
that traders can reasonably demand from the Navy. Merchant
ships are expected to protect themselves to a large extent
Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office.
from....