CO129-488 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1925 [1-7] — Page 89

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as has always been the contention of this Government?

Personally I remain convinced that no

system of patrols can supply protection unless a ship is prepared to defend herself against an attack from within by a small body of determined men, but it is of course obvious that the greater the number of patrol vessels available the less is the chance of the pirates being able to get away with their booty and therefore the smaller is the risk of piracy.

7.

The provision of patrols for this purpose

is clearly a question for the Navy alone: this Government

has not the resources either in money or men that Bould

be required to furnish patrol vessels nor would it be within the competence of a Colonial Government to employ

armed forces in the territorial waters of China or on the

high seas. I can therefore only ask you to bring the

matter before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty

and to urge that their Lordships should in the interests

of British trade and prestige so strengthen the naval

forces here as to provide for the establishment of a

system of patrols which will be adequate to safeguard

ships from external attack and, when coupled with

reasonable measures of self protection on board, to make

attempts at piracy from within too hazardous to be

attractive.

I am, as suggested by the Commander-in-

Chief, asking the Commodore's opinion as to the additional

forces which are needed but I do not desire to delay this

despatch by waiting for his reply.

8.

I have informed the Commander-in-Chief that

I concur in the suggestion in paragraph 13 of his letter that the Commodore should be officially associated with this Government when anti-piracy measures are being dealt with.

9.