CO129-457 - Public Offices - 1919 — Page 430

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seemed to talk Cantonese. The three in foreign dress seemed to

be Officers,

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Before the piracy, we had something over 20 men in all

on board - stokers and sailors, and a "military party" of 10,

in addition to the 11 soldiers looked after by Nos. 2 & 3

11 includes Nos. 2 & 3. I don't know just how many stokers

and sailors. We had no steam on the boilers.

I heard or saw nothing of any Police Launch, or of any- thing of the nature. I did hear some one say "Don't use your gun: if you do I will use mine." That was said from our deck

in Cantonese.

The word used for gun was "Pau".

I saw the launch which towed us: on escaping I saw its

name the "Pun YU* ( ). I know it as a Canton Police

Launch: I have no doubt about it.. It is an armed launch, of

the Canton Police Department, (Water Police).

Of the persons on board just before the time of the

piracy,

11 were Yunnan soldiers, wounded men.

6 or 7 mere Fukkien men

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the remainder were Cantonese.

The pirates wore no uniform; ordinary Cantonese clothing. We do not know where it was we boarded the firewood junk; and

we do not know the number or name of the junk. It took us

to the Mongkok Refuge. I had no reason to think any of our men had been tampered with. I saw none of them after the

robbers arrived.

The soldiers who came back with us are on board the Kung Kung

a 2 funnelled boat

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in the Refuge. We do not know where

the Kwong Li is now.

Captain San adds that he learns the Kwong Lee is now in Canton

Nos. 2 & 3 support all details of No.1's story.

PRECIS

Extract from Chat Shap Yi Hong Sheung Po, Canton, 20th

January, 1919.

Gun-Boats stoved back-

Some time ago the gun-boats Kong Kung and Kong Li, being misled by Lung Tsai Kwong, took refuge in Hongkong and refused to be under the command of the Canton Government, Representa- tions were made to the Hongkong Authorities and a decision has now been reached. Yesterday they were taken back to Canton by the men sent by San Po Fan, Commissioner of Rivers Defence, and their Captain were also changed.

(Signed)' E. R. HALLIFAX.

18th January, 1919.

erpreter Hr Fung Hon).