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Enclosure No.4(a) to China letter No.1791/01034 of 29th November,
1929.
CONFIDENTIAL.
The Hon'ble The Colonial Secretary,
Straits Settlements,
Singapore,
23rd October, 1929.
Sir,
Singapore.
Anti-piracy, Chin Coast.
e have the honour to refer to your letters Nos.41 end 43 in 270/1928 of 20th and 28th August lost announcing
that the provision of armed guards for merchant ships will
be discontinued fter April 1930.
2. The undersigned Agents of various British Shipping Lines interested in the Chine Coast Trade met in Singapore on 21st instant to consider the proposals and suggestions which
have been put forward as to means of protection in the place of military guards. We beg to submit herewith our joint ideas
of the suggestions which have been made.
We regret to state that our opinion is unanimous
that the only satisfactory method of protection is that et present afforded by armed military or naval guards.
In view of this may we earnestly request that the
invaluable and essential assistance at present being given
by the armed forces of the Crown be continued until conditions
necessitating same are remedied.
Our definite opinion is that no steps to counter
piracy can be taken by the Comes nies themselves, which will
in any way ensure the same measure of protection as that
aftorded by the present system.
3. It is, we think, generally admitted that the defence
of a ship to be successful must be internal.
In /