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pirate the ship.
6.
According to information from a trustworthy
source, the China Merchants Company are finding the
question of anti-piracy precautions a source of
considerable perplexity.
Precautions are taken
sporadically, but the company show a reluctance to adopt
systematic measures, their attitude being partly
influenced by the fact that searches of passengers are
apt to cause difficulties and friction.
7.
The adventures of the "Hain Ming, however have
ventilated the whole subject and caused it to be seriously
discussed, especially with reference to the steamers which
supply the nightly passenger and cargo service between
Shanghai and Ningpo. This important traffic is shared
between three Chinese shipping companies and Messrs.
Butterfield and Swire, who have one steamer on the run.
At the end of January, after the second "sin Ming"
incident, the association of Ningpo residents in
Shanghai addressed a strongly worded letter to the three
Chinese companies, representating that the time had come
for the Shanghai Ningpo steamers to be provided with
guards. Considerable discussion ensued, and is still
continuing, between the three companies (whose principal
spokesman in the matter is Mr. Yu Ya-ch'ing) and the
Chinese authorities.
The companies have agreed in
principle that guards should be furnished, and, with a
view to providing for the necessary expenditure have
announced that the rates on cargo between the two ports
will be increased by twenty per cent. as from 18th February.
This seems to be the only definite step so far taken,
and several important points are still under consideration,
as for instance, the type and strength of the guards
which should be enlisted, and the source from which they
should be supplied (the first proposal that they should
be