"SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST"
226
Enclosure No.6 to China letter dated 29th November 1929. No.1791/01034.
27th NOVEMBER 1929.
THE PIRATE MENACE
CHINA MERCHANTS COMPANY TO TAKE ACTION PASSENGER
SEARCHES
Aroused over the increasing number of piracies of vessels of the company, particularly the recent piracy of the steamer "Kwangchi", the management of the China Merchants' Steamship Company has taken action in the matter which may tend to curb the outrages committed by bold pirate gangs.
The company has decided to adopt the following precautionary measures, effectire at once :-
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That supervising groups be organised by the company to search all Chinese passengers for firearms. This search is to be made as the passengers board the vessels and is to be most thorough.
That supervising groups, armed with the proper authority, act jointly with the Chine se police in searching all Chinese passengers at the time of boarding the steamers.
That the compradores in the ship be on the alert for any suspicious passengers, the latter to be liable to search at any time during the voyage.
That the Ministry of Navy and the Kiangsu and Chekiang provincial governments be requested to send gunboats to patrol the coasts from time to time.
In a statement an official of the company pointed out that pirate vessels and gangs of pirates, taking advantage of the civil disorders in China, are seizing upon the present time as opportune for their high-handed acts.
The official stated that the best way in which to nip in the bud the plans of pirate gangs boarding the vessels at various ports is carefully to search all passengers boarding the vessels. Without firearms, he stressed, the pirates would be unable to carry out their plans.