2
5. From the above information it will be seen that the proposed operation is very minor one, definitely limited in scope and devised to avoid the development of larger operations, but which depends on matters of local detail on which, at so great a distance, we are necessarily incompletely informed.
a
3487/26.H.K.
Lifter
6. Whether the expedition should, as is now suggested, be authorised as a deliberate act of punition, or should be permitted only after another piracy takes place, is a matter of policy on which it is not for us to advise, but from a military point of view we favour the latter alternative.
7. It would appear that if the operation is to take place only after the next piracy and the present proposal to land before dawu is adhered to, valuable time may be lost. We feel, however, that all such details must be left to the responsible Naval and Military authorities on the spot to settle according to circumstances, and that our approval can necessarily be only of a very general character.
8. There is, nevertheless, one suggestion to which we take exception, namely, that the village of Fan-Lo-Kong should be smoke-bombed when the landing takes place. Such action would in our opinion not only give the pirates unnecessary warning of our intention, but might be misrepresented as the use of gas throughout China and result in our incurring a good deal of odium.
9. Finally, we would suggest that the Consul-General at Canton should be instructed without delay to obtain the co-operation of the Canton Government, even if such co-operation is limited to the presence of one Chinese official at the scene of action.
10. To sum up, we submit the following recommendations for consideration by the Committee of Imperial Defence :-
(i.) That approval in principle should be given to the proposed operation described in paragraph 4 above, with the proviso that the smoke-bombing of the villages he forbidden.
(ii) That the Canton Government should be asked without delay to co-operate under threat of independent action on our part in the event of their refusal.
The question of whether the expedition should be authorised as an act of punition or should only be permitted after another act of piracy involves political consideration on which it is not for us to advise.
2, Whitehall Gardens, S.IV. 1, December 9, 1926.
APPENDIX.
(Signed)
BEATTY.
G. F. MILNE.
H. TRENCHARD.
Paraphrase Telegram from General Officer Commanding, Hong Kong, to the War Office, No. 1258, dated December 1, 1926.
YOUR No. 92993 M.O. 1, 29/11.
Governor's despatch* of 30th June is superseded by my telegramt No. 1257 of 29th November, several Bias Bay piracies having occurred without retribution since 30th June.
Action recommended is carefully limited and in no way indiscriminate, and should be taken at our own select time without awaiting further piracy.
Most important Consul-General, Canton, should be authorised without delay threaten independent action in event of refusal of co-operation by Chinese.
Governor, iu consultation with Consul-General, Canton, has approved this telegram.
• Printed as Appendix I of 1.D. Paper No. 288-0.
† Not reproducel.
21/12 is 21 G. Grindle
21 Wilson 22.12.26. nce
note over
mery.
1.v.min.
was omitted .. but the ion is
17
Paraphrase Telegram from the Secretary of State for the
Colonies to the Governor of Hong Kong.
(Sent 8.40 p.m. 22nd December, 1926).
Your telegram 21st December Piracy after full
consideration of your representations and examination by
Chief of Staff and Committee of Imperial Defence last week
it was decided (a) that His Majesty's Consul General Canton should be consulted with a view to obtaining if possible the co-operation of the Canton Government in the proposed
operation under threat of independent action on our part in
the event of refusal (b) that you should be informed
accordingly and authorised in conjunction with the Naval
and Military authorities to carry out the plan submitted by you (as subsequently revised by the Hong Kong Defence
+
Committee) without further delay in the event of another
sary to avoid piracy subject to the proviso that smoke-bombing of the prehension.
e the revised villages should not be permitted (c) that corresponding which the Chiefs
C-in-C
aff approved instructions should be sent to Naval Civil and General
below.
Officers Commanding Hong Kong.
The action since taken by the Canton Government has
however altered the situation and you should take no independent measures until His Majesty's Government are necessitates satisfied that Canton Government do not intend to fulfil ther reference
before actingtheir undertaking to proceed against the pirates. Repeat
the altered istancea I
is right; but
to Canton.
not in accor- with the C.I.D. don t con-
.S.H.W.22.12.26. alise this but very much prefer 1.to go as drafted
of the allied Alture L
P. A. C. 22.12. corres. Aday.
W. e.1.D. O.D.Č.
23 10.
AMERY.
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