the operations of the Chinese pirate
until recent years, of a comparatively
15
insignificant character. off the eomat 01
China, as distinct from the inland waters, acts
of piracy were during this period at most
sporadic;
oertɛin number of osses of
the seizure by pirates of sailing vessels
occurred, but such sotion in the case of stemmers
was unknown.
4. Since the year 1922, however, the
disturbed conditions prevailing in China have
anfortunately led to piracy being practised off
the Chinese coasts on a seale previously un-
known. Not only sailing vessels but steamers,
both Chinese and foreign, have frequently been
the victims of piratical action. In particular
it is notorious that of recent years Blas Bay
has become a regularly organised base from
which the pirates carry out their nefarious
sotivities. The usual method of the pirates
was to embark on a ship in the guise of innocent
passengers and to mise the ship by violent
me thođs