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(No. 16.) Sir.
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Inclosure 5 in No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Consul-General Mansfield.
Peking, April 24, 1907. I HAVE received your despatch No. 14 of the 5th instant, inclosing copies of correspondence between yourself and the Viceroy of Canton, respecting the claims arising out of the piracy of the steam-ship "Sainam," together with a list showing the amount which, after careful consideration, you regard as fair compensation in each case. At an interview which I had at the Wai-wu Pu yesterday, I handed the Grand Secretary Na Tung a Memorandum, copy of which is inclosed, and requested that instructions should be sent to the Viceroy of Canton for the settlement of the claim.
His Excellency stated that there was no precedent or Treaty obligation for the payment of such a claim. I replied that the neglect of duty on the part of the late Viceroy was responsible for what had occurred, and that the demand for compensation was made under express instructions from His Majesty's Government, who had fully considered all the circumstances of the case. The delay in coming to this decision was due to the desire of His Majesty's Government to eliminate every item which did not constitute a just claim for compensation.
After some further discussion, the Grand Secretary promised to telegraph to the Viceroy to appoint a Delegate to meet you with a view to arriving at some settlement of the case.
You should therefore present the various claims as revised by you and continue to press for their payment by the Canton Government, whose responsibility in the matter is not affected by the change of Viceroy.
I have, &c. (Signed)
J. N. JORDAN.
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All these, besides the comprador, the crew, and the passengers, had their
property looted.
I have now received instructions to present to the Board of Foreign Affairs the request that due compensation may be made to the sufferers by this piratical attack. His Majesty's Government are of opinion that the fact that no less than thirty odd launches under the British flag have been pirated during the three years preceding the present case shows that the Provincial Government have not hitherto shown such diligence in suppressing piracy as they were bound to do, and that this attack on a British ship is the consequence of their neglect.
April 23, 1907.
Inclosure 6 in No. 1.
Memorandum communicated by Sir J. Jordan to the Wai-wu Pu.
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ON the 13th July last year the British steamer Sainam left Canton for Wuchow. She had arrived within some 30 li of Samshui, when pirates, who had come on board disguised as passengers, attacked the Indian watchmen and the captain and engineer of the ship with revolvers. A passenger, Dr. Macdonald, was killed, and the captain, engineer, and three watchmen were all more or less wounded. The pirates took charge of the engine-room and steered the ship to Fu Wan, where they dropped anchor, and, boats being in waiting there, they proceeded to empty all the cabins and completely loot the ship, loading the boats with the spoil. Having completed their task, they landed and dispersed.
The persons injured were→
1. Dr. Macdonald, a passenger, who for twenty-two years has carried on his hospital and school work at Wuchow, shot dead through head and body. He leaves a widow and two children,
2. Captain Joslin, shot through the chest. He was taken to hospital and the bullet extracted from the back. The wound healed and he returned to work, but his health suffered so much from the shock that the doctors stated it was necessary for him to return to England, which he has done. It is doubtful whether he will be able to command a ship in future.
3. Engineer Seggie, who was badly burned by a stinkpot, and whose life was saved by his concealing himself behind the boilers. His health has also severely suffered.
4. Khan Mahomed, a watchman, had his jaw fractured by a bullet, and is still under treatment. The injury is permanent.
5. Ali Akhbar, a watchman, shot in the jaw.
6. Sherif Hullah, a watchman, wounded in several places by bullets, fortunately
not very seriously.
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