CO129-507-3 China- anti-piracy precautions 31-10-1927 - 25-10-1928 — Page 234

- 2 -

263

Lieutenant Commander Faure's "observations" (page 4)

in 1924 cannot be taken seriously because

a.

b.

C.

Pirates thoroughly spy out a ship before they pirate

her. The number of ships pirated carrying bullion is

far less than the number without bullion.

Every Chinese leader, of whatever complexion, has a chronic desire for money.

Piracy has been rife throughout the province, the

Bias Bay is the most convenient, if not the only

place for deep draught ships.

Note. In July 1926 pirates tried to take the S.S.

Kwong Lee from Shanghai into the Delta but ran her

ashore near Wang Mun.

Does Lieutenant Commander Faure know that there has

been a horder of 500-800 pirates, well armed and organised, for the past four years in the region of Ngai un (South-West of Lacao)? For over a year they have had a band of at least fifty captives for ransom. This is but one of many gangs in the province. Chinese are their chief prey. Will Commander

Faure argue that "the policy of the Hong Kong Goverment" has prevented the Canton Goverment from suppressing these pirates?

I was on furlough in 1924 and am not fully

acquainted with the inner history of the Kerchant Volunteers

debacle, and the S.S. "Hav" incident of that year. X

X

X

I

X

x. I do not

know Lieutenant Commander Faure. I have never met him. The

above notes are impersonal criticism based on my own inform-

ation and perusal of the memorandum. The latter overlooks

the