180
large numbers. I
1tral ooor
of merchant shipa grounding in the Delta and est River W.1-
nose patrol
ave arrived on to
one to protoer to
The recent grounding of the B.3. "8AN X1%0" off HATTLER
ISLAND is a case in poit.
This vessel was aground for 12
days and during the greater part of the time one or more
@inone patrol vessela aure
parol
it has been the practice of British
seronant veasels trading in the area to ignore Chinese pa ro1
vessels. In roo
vel flying the rit1歳 52
waonailed by a patrol voanel at night do the former
refused to rerly the retrol vessel opened fire.
The explanation ren by the tinowe patrož wan to th
eering an erratic course
effect that th merchant si åp
flaking lichte and refused to carer then hailed, and that
the merchant ship was therefore auspected of having been
lunation is not unreasonable and 11
pired.
prevait a recurrence of such incident
rchant veusela
uld be instructed to answer
scl vessels on halled.
Alternatively that the
Chinese Authorities be informed that British vessels have
been instructed to immore Chinese ratrol craft and that under
no circumstances are the latter to attempt to interfere with
The latter procedure tendr to relieve the Chinese of
ity for thie protection of ar typing againot plroay
and is, therefore, believe te retrograde step.
mere, at night it may not be possible to readily distinguish
a
7. In the quae if the former proposul, namely the
British abips be instructed to
ineae putrol vessels
en