149
seen
to have been consider d. The number of man required шаг
wo tentatively put at 400 with 35 white N.C.0's and 4
white headquarter staff. It was pointed out that if all shippin ere taxed all shipping passing through pirate zone would be likely to demand guards and 400 might prov
insuffici nt. I declined to commit this Government to the
expense of establishing such an organis tion on the chance of
racov-ring its cost later on without the fall st consideration,
It became evident in the course of discussion that wrong opposition might be obtaining to any tax which world incre-se
charges on shipping not interested in anti piracy guaris.
Moments
I . of the opinion that the scheme is altogether XXXXXXXXXXXX
too ne ulous and too expensive to be undertaken at r
notic. I prerel on the denuation the vit at XXX only
sche admitting of prompt application we a development of
the former system of India querds possibly suplemente by white .0.0's and it was left to deputation to confer with
Inspector General of Police who was present at the discussion
with a view to evolving a practical schrue at the earliest
possible moment. I consiler that shipping utilising guards
must bear the cost of the scheme.
Even this scheme will take time to evolve but it seems to offer only practical solution to difficulty which shining colonies
now find to..selves. It may even be possible to develop scheme in time into a permanent force on the lines suggested by shipping companies but I am myself doubtful if thi- will be found necessary. The possibility of utilising Wei Hai Wei
Police Force on rendition of Wei Hai Wei was mentioned but
I am without information as to when the force might become
available.
mace rolaine que bio of wat is to be done between 1st April and time when Indian guerie can be supplied in sufficient
that
numbers. To meet this difficulty I can only suggest if as Ministers despatch No 1789 implies it XXXXXXXXX will still be posible to supply military guards XX these should be