CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905 — Page 160

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On my expressing some doubt as to the efficacy of these native gun-boats and the discipline of their crews, he said that they were useful in attacking the villages wher the pirates took refuge, and that they did not remain at anchor, but patrolled their sections of the river constantly. The crews were strictly forbidden to live on shor The sections in which they operated were of such small extent that in case of need they could always summon the assistance of the neighbouring gun-boats by firing a signal.

He was of opinion that the energetic policy of the present Viceroy had alreads! done much to improve the former condition of affairs, which he admitted had been: deplorable, and he hoped that by constant vigilance, especially in the Shunte district, he might be able to increase the security of the waterways under his charge. He testified to the accuracy of the reports received for many years past by this Legatio from His Majesty's Consulate-General at Canton as to the modus operandi of the pirates, who, he said, find no difficulty in escaping to Hong Kong or Macao aftera successful attack. He particularly mentioned, however, that the Canton authorities always received prompt assistance from your Excellency's Government in cases of extradition.

I am forwarding copy of this despatch to the Foreign Office and to His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton.

I have, &c.

Your Highness,

(Signed) ERNEST SATOW

Inclosure 2 in No. 1.

Sir E. Satow to Prince Ch'ing.

Peking, May 26, 1905. I HAD yesterday the pleasure of receiving the visit of his Excellency Li Chuc, the recently-appointed Acting Admiral at Canton, and took the opportunity of making some observations to him on the subject of the prevalence of armed robbery directed against launches on the West River and in the Canton Delta, from which British subjects as well as Chinese have been sufferers. I was glad to learn from him that steps have already been taken to reorganize a system of patrol and guard-boats i on those waters, and that, on his arrival at his post, he will do his best to cope with the prevailing lawlessness; but I am inclined to think that, in order to render the preventive service really efficacious, it is necessary to keep a larger number of steam gun-boats on the river, and that Chinese boats propelled by means of sweeps, and with crews of only fifteen men, cannot be expected to overtake the pirates, who often carry on their depredations by means of steam-launches which they have seized from the owners. These pirates are desperate men, and the boats used for ther pursuit ought to be swift under steam, well armed with machine guns and small rifled cannon, and manned by well trained and numerous crews. The villages haunted by these robbers ought to be frequently visited, and the inhabitants thus kept in are of the authorities. Among the most notorious localities are the districts of Namho, Hsiangshan, and Shaute. During the three months ending with the 30th September of last year no fewer than three British launches were robbed by pirates of a large amount of property, while attacks were made on land upon villages and silk filatures, resulting in the destruction of many houses and other valuable property. I mention only cases in which British interests were concerned, and they are only some of the cases that have occurred.

I trust that the Chinese Government will impress on the Viceroy of the Liang Kwang the necessity of taking energetic measures to put a stop to these acts of lawlessness, for which the Canton. Delta is becoming notorious, and that the new Acting Admiral will be furnished with all the armed vessels and trained men of whom he may stand in need for the preservation of order and the punishment of

I take, &c.

ERNEST SATOW.

evil-doers.

(Signed)

This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.)

AFFAIRS OF CHINA,

CONFIDENTIAL.

No. 1.

157

[July 17.

SUCTION 4.

Sir E. Satow to the Marquess of Lansdowne.--(Received July 17.) (No. 189.) My Lord,

Peking, June 1, 1905. I HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith, in continuation of my despatch No. 181 of the 27th ultimo, translation of a Note which I have received from the Foreign Board in answer to my Note of the 26th ultimo, regarding the prevalence of piracy on the West River and in the Canton Delta.

I have, &c.

ERNEST SATOW,

(Translation.) Your Excellency,

(Signed)

Inclosure in No. 1.

Prince Ch'ing to Sir E. Satow,

Kuang Hsu, 31/1/26 (May 29, 1905).

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge receipt of your Excellency's Note of May 26th, on the subject of the prevalence of armed robbery directed against launches on the West River and in the Canton Delta, requesting that the Canton Viceroy might be called upon to put a stop to these acts of lawlessness, and trusting that the new Acting Admiral, Li Chun, might be furnished with all the armed vessels and trained mun of whom he might stand in need for the preservation of order and the punishment of evildoers.

In reply, the Board has the honour to inform your Excellency that they are communicating with the Viceroy at Canton, and that advantage has been taken of the presence of the Acting Admiral, Li Chun, to inform him of this matter.

I avail, &c.

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