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Enclosure No.4 to letter from Commodore, Hongkong,
dated 22/5/31, No,O150.
The following notes on the antecedents of 1801 TANG
PAI were supplied by the C.1.D. Hong Kong tolice.
TODI TANO PAI is now a salaried official of the Cantonese
(lovernment, his duty being to suppress bandits and pirates in the Bias Bay Neighbourhood.
Bome five years ago this man wae
well-known bandit leader in the
district to the Northward of PAN - LO - KONG, at the head of Bias Bay and he was probably interested in piratical ventures which originated at that place. When the Chinese authorities, after repented remonstrances from foreign powers, started to take an interest in the suppression of piracy, 1801 decided that it would pay him to change sides and he applied to Canton for an official appointment in the district. His request was ignored so, in 1928, be asked the Hong long rolice authorities to say a good word for him at Canton; this they refused to do until he could show by some tangible results that he was likely to be of service in the suppression of piracy. In the winter of 1929-30 he was instrumental in securing the release of two hostages probably ransonces from the DALI MARU - and the 1.0. Folice at Hong Kong recommended him for the required post to the Cantonese Government.
It was obvious to Canton that a man with such an intimate knowledge of the bandits and their haunts would prove invaluable to them in their hitherto futile attempts to clear up the neighbourhood and he was duly given the official position of bandit-suppressor with a good salary. Apparently he finds and supports his own men, probably ex-bandits like himself, and in case of necessity he combines with such Chinese Naval and Military forces as may happen to be in Bins Bay or at Pinghoi.
It might reasonably be expected that his activities in the cause of law and order would render hin liable to assassination at the hands
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