Enclosure in Canton despatch to Peking No. 80 of 20th June
1934.
CONFIDENTIAL.
West River,
H.M.S.
"Tarantula"
at Canton
30th May, 1934.
ANTI-PIRACY CO-OPERATION ITH THE CHINESE
AUTHORITIES
21
In accordance with previous arrangements I met Rear-
Admiral Liu and Colonel Leung at the British Consulate-General
this morning, 30th May, and exchange ideas on the subject of
Anti-piracy co-operation, Mr. Phillips, Consul-General also
attended the meeting.
2.
Captain Lai Ku Kow, Chief of Staff, had been detailed
as the other Chinese Naval Officer to meet me, but owing to
family bereavement he was unable to be present.
3. Colonel Leung first stated he thought this was a matter
which concerned experts, and that he would hold a watching brief.
Rear-Admiral Liu than asked me what my ideas were.
4.
The following is a general text of my remarks:-
It was obvious that piracy on the China coast was a
most important matter for the Chinese authorities to deal with,
for so long as it existed it would lend force to the contention
of outsiders that China was unable to keep law and order.
5. I explained in general terms that we had, during the
last number of years, taken steps to combat piracy, by the
institution of patrols, placing guards on board ships,
construction of grilles and wireless communication etc.
Despite these and other measures, piracy, although less
than it was, still continued. Piracies were almost invariably
The Commodore,
Hong Kong.
/of