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the crew of 8.8. Oki Maru" were carried off during a piratical
attack and had be ransomed for 80,000 dollars. Finally en August 16th, a steamer belonging to the match factory at Tsingtao was attacked and the whole cargo looted.
Mr. Maver asked whether the Japanese Government wish ed
to extend the "appropriate measures" to the whole coast of China.
ensieur Yoshizawa replied that they were ready to limit
them to two points, Bias Bay and Haichow.
Mr. Mayer then said he would explain the attitude of his
vernment. The United States Government did not wish to be con-
sidered unsympathetic to this or any other proposal for dealing
with piracy which they recognised as a commen danger. They
wart ed more information however and were evidently apprehensive
of the possibility of becoming engaged in action of a wider scope than had been sontemplated; for instance in the bombardment
or control of Chinese ports or in landing operations. He had tele-
graphed a reply that nothing more had been considered than a naval
patrol. The British had tried bombardment and landing and had not
been entirely satisfied with the results. The State Department
had telegraphed again saying that they had asked for the American
Admiral's comments and he also desired to know
scope of the pro
posed action, The State Department wondered whether something
moré could not be done in the way of searching passengers.
had again telegraphed that this also had been tried without much
success and had repeated that what was proposed was a patrol of
Bias Bay.
Bir M. Lampson said that what everyone want ed was that
Chinese should do their own work. The proposed co-opera-
tion was designed to make it easier for them to do so
Mr. Laver said that as he understood it, if the Chinese
accepted co-operation the rôle of foreign warships would be
simply to set in support and not to engage in fire action.
Sir M. Lsupson agreed. He enquired whether the stage
had
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.