CO129-342 - Governor Lugard & Public Offices - 1907 [11-12] — Page 182

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

Sir,

"King Alfred" at Hongkong.
22nd. December, 1907.

With reference to the question of the suppression of piracy in the West River and Canton Delta, Your Excellency is aware that, in consequence of the refusal of the Viceroy of Canton to entertain the "Sainam" claim, and to adopt satisfactory measures to protect Foreign traders, the British patrol of the waterways has been augmented.

The increased patrol has now been an established fact for three weeks, and although the Viceroy has expostulated, and a great outcry was made in the local press, no definite result has been arrived at, and from reports received, I gather that the outcry is diminishing and that the populace show no hostile feeling to us, in fact rather the reverse.

There is a danger consequently that the Authorities at Canton, realising that the clamour is confined to Agitators, and is not from the people generally, and that our action is not altogether unpopular, may be inclined to accept the situation and do nothing either to satisfy our claim, or to take effective steps themselves to protect the waterways. I think therefore that the time has arrived to take further action to bring home to the Viceroy that it is by no means our intention to abate our claim for compensation in the "Sainam" case, or to allow the present insecure state of trade in the waterways to continue.

To His Excellency
Sir F. J. D. Lugard, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O.,
Governor and Commander-in-Chief,
Hongkong.

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Sir, "King Alfred" at Hongkong. 22nd. December, 1907. With reference to the question of the suppression of piracy in the West River and Canton Delta, Your Excellency is aware that, in consequence of the refusal of the Viceroy of Canton to entertain the "Sainam" claim, and to adopt satisfactory measures to protect Foreign traders, the British patrol of the waterways has been augmented. The increased patrol has now been an established fact for three weeks, and although the Viceroy has expostulated, and a great outcry was made in the local press, no definite result has been arrived at, and from reports received, I gather that the outcry is diminishing and that the populace show no hostile feeling to us, in fact rather the reverse. There is a danger consequently that the Authorities at Canton, realising that the clamour is confined to Agitators, and is not from the people generally, and that our action is not altogether unpopular, may be inclined to accept the situation and do nothing either to satisfy our claim, or to take effective steps themselves to protect the waterways. I think therefore that the time has arrived to take further action to bring home to the Viceroy that it is by no means our intention to abate our claim for compensation in the "Sainam" case, or to allow the present insecure state of trade in the waterways to continue. To His Excellency Sir F. J. D. Lugard, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O., Governor and Commander-in-Chief, Hongkong.

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opy) .222. Sir, 178 "King Alfred" at Hongkong. 22nd. December, 1907. With reference to the question of the suppression of piracy in the West River and Canton Delta, Your Excellency is aware that, in consequence of the refusal of the Viceroy of Canton to entertain the "Sainam" claim, and to adopt satisfactory measures to protect Foreign traders, the British patrol of the waterways has been augmented. The increased patrol has now been an establishedfact for three weeks, and although the Viceroy has expostulated, and a great outcry was made in the local press, no definite result has been arrived at, and from reports received, I gather that the outcry is diminishing and that the populace shew no hostile feeling to us, in fact rather the reverse. There is a danger consequently that the Authorities at Canton, realising that the clamour is con- fined to Agitaters, and is not from the people generally, and that our action is not altogether unpopular, may be inclined to accept the situation and do nothing either to satisfy our claim, or to take effective steps themselves to protect the waterways. I think therefore that the time has arrived to take further action to bring home to the Viceroy that it is by no means our intention to abate our claim for compensation in the "Sa inam" case, or to allow the present insecure state of trade in the waterways to js Excellency Sir F. J. D. Lugard, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O., Governor and Commander-in-Chief, Hongkong. continue ns.

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opy)

.222.

Sir,

178

"King Alfred" at Hongkong.

22nd. December, 1907.

With reference to the question of the

suppression of piracy in the West River and Canton Delta, Your Excellency is aware that, in consequence of the refusal of the Viceroy of Canton to entertain the "Sainam" claim, and to adopt satisfactory measures to protect Foreign traders, the British patrol of the waterways has been augmented.

The increased patrol has now been an establishedfact for three weeks, and although the Viceroy

has expostulated, and a great outcry was made in the local

press, no definite result has been arrived at, and from

reports received, I gather that the outcry is diminishing and that the populace shew no hostile feeling to us, in

fact rather the reverse.

There is a danger consequently that the

Authorities at Canton, realising that the clamour is con- fined to Agitaters, and is not from the people generally,

and that our action is not altogether unpopular, may be

inclined to accept the situation and do nothing either to

satisfy our claim, or to take effective steps themselves to

protect the waterways. I think therefore that the time has

arrived to take further action to bring home to the

Viceroy that it is by no means our intention to abate our

claim for compensation in the "Sa inam" case, or to allow

the present insecure state of trade in the waterways to

js Excellency

Sir F. J. D. Lugard, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O.,

Governor and Commander-in-Chief,

Hongkong.

continue

ns.

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