CO129-404 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1913 [10-12] — Page 291

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Recent reports are all to the effect that

everything has been quiet in the river and that the

Chinese authorities are very active in suppressing piracy

and robbery, maintaining an efficient escort, and patrol

with torpedo boats and armed launches.

6.- In the open waters extending from our territorial boundary to Macao and "angnoon no regular patrol is

maintained. These waters are practically open sea and

are too unsheltered to be patrolled by torpedo boats and

river gmboats; whilst the exigencies of naval require-

ments preclude me from detailing destroyers or larger

vessels for the purpose, unless the occasion is very

exceptional.

I will however make arrangements for one of the

torpedo craft, at Hong Kong to go to sea occasionally at

uncertain intervals in the direction of Macao and

Wangmoon, provided the weather is suitable.

7.-

In regard to such a case as the "Tai-on" it,

appears to me that no amount of patrolling can save a steamer from internal attack by pirates who have embarked

in the guise of passengers.

I believe it is some years since there has been

an external attack on a British vessel, and therefore the patrol may be considered to have fulfilled its object. Such an attack on steamers seems very unlikely

to succeed or to be attempted, unless they are disabled

or aground.

8.- I would add that as regards the 4 Torpedo Boats on patrol duties it is only since the beginning of the revolution that they have been employed on this work, their crews having been specially augmented for the purpose.

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