CO129-411 - Governor Sir May - 1914 [5-7] — Page 457

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5 + Capt. Wetherell's letter

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19.11.14

Nov. 14th

alonce

No

240.

451

C

27969

RECO

sir,

REG2 31 JUL 14)

en 5

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONGKONG. 9th July, 1914.

You

78809

With reference to my despatch No.147 of the 2nd

May, 1914, on the subject of the piratical attack on the S.S. "Tai On" and the subsequent setting on fire of the ship, I have the honour to request your sanction for the arrangements which the Government has made to provide immediate assistance for the

dependents of the victims of the disaster, who were left without

means of support,and to apply for permission to grant such further assistance or allowances as may on subsequent investi-

gation be justified. I have also to apply for your covering

authority for the expenditure the Goverment has incurred in

re-imbursing some of the survivors of the disaster who suffered

the loss of all their effects.

2.

The Government's efforts have been confined to

the officers and crew of the vessel, which was registered in

Hongkong and flew the British flag. I decided that the task of

relieving the Chinese passengers who suffered in a piracy com-

mitted in Chinese waters should fall on the shoulders of the

Chinese Authorities, who appear to be, I am glad to state, alive

to their responsibilities for the outrage.

3.

J

The following non-Chinese employed in the vessel perished in the diaster:-

Mr.Evans, Chief Officer, of British parentage,

L. J. Silva and Santos de Silva, members of the ship's guard,

both of Asiatic-Portuguese origin.

(a).

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

LEWIS HARCOURT, M.P.,

&c.

80..

&C.