¥ 1885/176/10.
sir.
FORIGN OFFICE,
144
29th March, 1985.
pesee
62771
(2)
29
A
I am directed by Secretary Sir John Simon to refer
to your letter M.03479/34 of the 7th Karch on the subject of
the instructions issued to His Majesty's Ships of the China
Station with regard to pirate vessels and crews captured by
them on inland waterways or within thres miles of the coast
of China.
Sir John Simon eoneurs in the view of the Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty that the question is one
which should be dealt with on a political rather than a
legul basis. Whatever may have been the reasons for the
issue in 1900 of the instructions at present contained in
the station Order Book it asome clear that they have ocaned
to operate at the prament time. Sir John Simon is of
opinion that pirates and pirate vossola captured in inland
waterways should be invariably handed over to the Chineso
authorities and that in normal circumstances the same rulo
should also be applied within three miles of the China coast.
In exceptional circumstances such as those of the "Irene" in
1927 it may be deairable to sxercise our legal right to bring
any pirates that may be captured before a British Court for
trial but ma auch camen will presumably be of rare coeurrenOI
they could probably best be dealt with by the issue of
special instructions as the occasion aris«0. Sir John simon
is farther of opinion that the stipulation regarding fair
trial and torture should certainly be omitted in futura cuses.
The Secretary
of the Admiralty.
8./