Enclosure No. 3 in Canton despatch No. 158 of October 4tn, 1928.
103
My dear Brenen,
Hongkong,
October 2nd, 1928.
'Anking" Piracy.
I understand H.E. has been in communication with you
regarding this unhappy affair, and I learn that it is not
improbable that the Chinese may themselves take action in
the matter.
The question of piracy in these waters has now become
so serious particularly after the brutal manner in which
the Chief Officer and Chief Engineer of the "Amiring" were
shot down that drastic methods of combating it cannot
longer be delayed.
Owing to the risk of piracy, C.N.Co. steamers on the
Shanghai/Canton line have more or less had to abandon the
carriage of bullion, and have also lately suffered material
. reduction in passenger carrying,, Chinese these days pre-
ferring to travel, if possible, by larger vessels, some
of which, for some time past, have been supplied with
military guards.
Concerning the Straits trade, our ships carry anything from a thousand to eighteen hundred passengers a trip, most
of them returning to their homes with all of value they
possess. It is therefore an easy matter for pirates to
board them in considerable numbers at Singapore and, once
J. F. Brenan, Esq., C. M. G.,
H. 2. M. Consul-General,
N.S./NPA.
Canton.
under/