CO129-487 - Others & Individuals - 1924 — Page 400

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were further informed that, Naval establishments having

been drastically cut down since the War, there are no longer

available any vessels of the special type which would be

required to operate in the winding creeks of the Delta, that

they could only be provided at great cost, and that the

building of the necessary vessels and the provision of

crews would take a considerable time.

10.

We are satisfied that the situation is not so

serious as to justify our recommending any such expansion

of the Naval forces in these waters.

11.

It was suggested to us that the problem might

be solved by the adoption of a convoy system, and we were

informed that such a system had been brought into operation

on certain runs. We agree that in special circumstances

a system of this kind may be useful and desirable. We feel

however that the general adoption of such a system could

not fail to have a serious effect as a hindrance to trade,

and that it could not remain in force for any considerable

length of time without creating widespread dissatisfaction.

12. In the light of the foregoing considerations we

are satisfied that in addition to co-operation with the

local Chinese authorities and the maintenance of as efficiert

a system of patrole as is possible with the resources

available to the Naval authorities, defensive measures on

We have board the ships themselves are vitally necessary.

accordingly given our careful consideration to such

evidence as has been placed before us in regard to the efficacy of the measures prescribed in the Piracy Regulations in the light of the criticisms of these Regulations which

have