Copy.
HONG KONG.
CONFIDENTIAL.
Government House,
Hong Kong.
146
4
19th January, 1900.
Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of
your confidential despatch of the 30th November,
confirming your telegram of the 28th November with
reference to my proposal to invite the Viceroy of Canton
to assist in freeing the lower portion of the West River
from the control of pirates.
2.
On receipt of your telegram I addressed the
I
Viceroy through Her Majesty's Consul at Canton on the
subject, but could not succeed in obtaining from him any
assurance of co-operation, or acknowledgment of the
assistance being rendered by Her Majesty's Navy. There
were promises of immediate steps being taken which looked
well on paper, but experience has shown that such
promises give but little hope of practical results.
enclose copies of the correspondence for your information.
2. (a) On the 8th instant Viceroy T'an passed through
on his way to the north, and sent his cards. His
Secretary said that they were trying to suppress piracy,
one of the means proposed being the employment in the
Imperial service of three of the piratical leaders.
Pending the arrival of Li Hung Chang the Acting Governor,
who has been administering the Government, has expressed
himself as anxious to take effective measures, and has
acknowledged the assistance given by Lieutenant Forbes-
Sempill of H.M.S. Tweed who on the 6th instant pursued
for
Ridanty
conc
ок
LINE March,
915 quul indurity
10182
Copy to
The Right Honourable Joseph Chamberlain, M.P.,
Secretary of State for the Colonies.