sir,
H.B.M.Congulate-General,
132
Canton.
May 30th, 1928.
In confirmation of the statement which I made to you yesterday, I have the honour to inform you that ano ther British steamer has been seized and looted by the gang of pirates who have their base in the vicinity of Elas Bay. The S.8. Tean, belonging to the China Navigation Company Limited was attacked on May 27th by pirates embarked as
passengers at Heihow. powered in the usual manner and were compelled to navigate the ship to Bias Bay, where the cargo was looted and seve- ral Chinese passengers were taken on shore for ransom. Two British officers of the ship were also taken ashore by
the pirates but managed to escape.
The officers and crew were over-
A customs launch appeared on the scene as the pirates were disembarking, and a party was landed in pur- suit. The criminals in their flight were obliged to aban- don part of their booty, but unfortunately none was cap-
tured.
I would point out to you that since the nationalist authorities have been in control of the province, nineteen large steamers have been seized in this way by the Bas Bay pirates in addition to a large number of smaller craft. I would therefore urge once more that if the Nationalist Government desires to be regarded by world opinion as a civilized administration, it is essential that it should take immediate steps to put a stop to this longstanding
scandal/
The Commissioner for Foreign Affairs,
Canton.