C.D.C.196)
ENCLOSURE.
UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN OFFICE, TO UNDER
SECRETARY OF STATE, COLONIAL OFFICE.
(F 4328/84/10).
sir,
21st October, 1926.
357
With reference to your letter of the 12th October and previous correspondence on the subject of
piracies in Bias Bay, I am directed by Secretary Sir Austen Chamberlain to inform you that His Majesty's Minister at Peking and His Majesty's Consul-General at
Canton were asked to furnish their views as to the
proposals of the Governor of Hongkong transmitted in
your letter of the 4th September, The telegrams which have been received in reply (Peking telegrams No. 374 and 375) have already been communicated to the Colonial
Office.
2.
Sir Austen Chamberlain agrees generally with the modification of the Governor's proposal suggested by Mr. Brenan but is further of opinion that any British expedition sent to occupy Blas Bay, should consist of
naval rather than military forces.
3.
If Mr. Amery concurs in these views a telegram
in this sense will be sent to Sir R. Macleay after the
concurrence of the Admiralty and the War Office has been
obtained. A draft of the telegram which it is proposed to send is enclosed herewith for Mr. Amery's observations.
I am etc.
(Signed) F. Ashton Gwatkin.
+
0.0.0. Paper No. 195 Appendices IV and V.