Enclosure No.3.
From H.B.M.Consul-General
To Governor Hong Kong
Canton
Dated 29th May 1928.
R.
147
? 52836/28
Addressed to Hong Kong. Repeated to Peking No.53.
Your telegram of the 28th May regarding the piracy
of the British S.S.Tean.
I have made strong verbal representations to the
C.F.A. demanding the immediate despatch of troops
to Bias Bay, and offering the co-operation of British
forces. He promised to bring the matter before the
Council meeting today.
I do not think, however, that the Chinese
will do anything effective, or that co-operation will
be accepted unless I can
threaten independent
action as the alternative, and probably not even then.
It would be as well, therefore, for the
naval and military authorities to ascertain from
H.M.Government what action, if any, they will be allowed
to take. See Hong Kong despatch to the Secretary of
State for the Colonies of the 7th May.
I will ask for an interview with Marshal Li
Chai-sum as soon as I know what the British attitude
is going to be.