CO129-496 - Public Offices - 1926 — Page 359

C.D.C.196)

ENCLOSURE.

UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN OFFICE, TO UNDER

SECRETARY OF STATE, COLONIAL OFFICE.

(F 4328/84/10).

sir,

21st October, 1926.

357

With reference to your letter of the 12th October and previous correspondence on the subject of

piracies in Bias Bay, I am directed by Secretary Sir Austen Chamberlain to inform you that His Majesty's Minister at Peking and His Majesty's Consul-General at

Canton were asked to furnish their views as to the

proposals of the Governor of Hongkong transmitted in

your letter of the 4th September, The telegrams which have been received in reply (Peking telegrams No. 374 and 375) have already been communicated to the Colonial

Office.

2.

Sir Austen Chamberlain agrees generally with the modification of the Governor's proposal suggested by Mr. Brenan but is further of opinion that any British expedition sent to occupy Blas Bay, should consist of

naval rather than military forces.

3.

If Mr. Amery concurs in these views a telegram

in this sense will be sent to Sir R. Macleay after the

concurrence of the Admiralty and the War Office has been

obtained. A draft of the telegram which it is proposed to send is enclosed herewith for Mr. Amery's observations.

I am etc.

(Signed) F. Ashton Gwatkin.

+

0.0.0. Paper No. 195 Appendices IV and V.