:
SUR. EL CLOSU.
Draft telegram to British inister, Peking
353
Your telegrams 374 and 375 (proposed activa
against Bias Bay pirates).
I concur generally. Mr. Brenen should
however in the first place make every effort to induce
the Canton Goverment to take the necessary action
themselves. With this object in view he might
certainly give them clear warning that unless they
will themselves at once take steps to deal with pirates
in Bias Bay His Majesty's Government will be compelled
to take independent action immediately after next
piracy of British ship, He need not specify too
definitely nature of such action, which rather than
landing of or occupation by military force suggested in
Canton telegram No.90, should preferably take the
form of patrolling of coast by naval forces,
Repeat to Canton and Hongkong,
Page 360Page 361