CO129-298 - Governor Sir Blake Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [3-4] — Page 241

COPY.

Translation.

From Viceroy Li.:

Sir,

3.0.

240

13320

RECO &

dr 30 APR 00

March 25,1900.

I have the honour to acknowledge the re-

ceipt of your despatch dated the 16th inatant, informing

me that you had received a communication from H.E. the

Governor of HongKong on the subject of the prevention of

piracies on the West River, stating the British Naval Au-

thorities were willing to assist by cooperation and that

no expense on that account would be incurred by the Chinese

Authorities.

You also enclosed an extract from the rules

for the suppression of piracy on the West River proposed

by Captain Slade, R.N.

I have carefully perused the foregoing and

I gratefully perceive that H.E. the Governor of HongKong

has considered the friendly relations existing between

our two countries and is sincerly desirous of giving assis-

tance.

Captain Slade, in his proposals, calls

attention to certain malpractices. I have already heard of

these things from enquires I have made and I am at this

moment using my utmost endeavours to put matters in order.

Instructions have been issued to the commanders of all

the steam-launchesand sailing guard-boats appointing each

to a certain portion of the river, which shall be constant-

ly patrolled by them for the express purpose of arresting

pirates.

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