CO129-490 - Public Offices - 1925 — Page 635

COPY.

628

(F 861/94/10)

John Swire & Sons Ltd.,

sir,

8. Billiter Square,

London, E.C.

March 9th, 1925.

!

As English tax-payers we desire to represent the

serious menace to British shipping and trade arising out of

the steady increase during recent years of piracy and

violence to English steamers in Chinese Waters. Although

this has been most noticeable in Hong Kong and adjoining

Chinese Waters the danger of piracy is no longer confined

to that immediate neighbourhood. A report by the Minority

Members of a Commission appointed by the Hong Kong Government

to consider the question of piracy, of which we attach a copy, states the unanimous opinion of all the mercantile

interests there that additional policing of the danger zone

This of course by British Naval units is urgently required. only deals with the waters of the Canton Delta and the

southern China Coast; but there is also undoubtedly need

for more naval protection on the Yangtsze and the China

Coast generally.

We therefore respectfully request that you will

support the general representations to that effect, which are being made by the various bodies representing mercantile

and shipping interests in the Far East.

We are, Sir, etc.,

(Signed) JOHN SWIRE & SONS LTD.

Managers, China Navigation Company, Limited.

The Secretary of State

for Foreign Affaire,

Foreign Office, S.W.1.