53
were, until recent years, of a comparatively
insignificant shuraeter. Off the eerst of
China, as distinct from the inland watera, apta
of piracy were during this period at most
speradio; a certain number of oames of
the seizure by pirates of sailing vessel
coeurred, bat such action in the case of steukera
Was ankIA@VIL »
Since the year 1922, however, the
disturbed conditions prevailing in China have
anfortunately led to piruaz being practised off
the Chinese cosets on a soale previously un-
knowl. sot only sailing Vessels but slea220r9,
botn Chinese and to sign, have frequently been
the victime of piratical motion. In particular
it is notorious that of recent years Bias Bay
has become a regularly organis ed base from
which the pirates oarry out their nefurious
activites. The usual method of the pirates
was to embark on a ship in the guise of innocent
panselgera and to seize the ship by violent
cethede in the course of the voyage.
If the
ship