CO129-507-3 China- anti-piracy precautions 31-10-1927 - 25-10-1928 — Page 260

2809

ship had had to be sunk.

This was not a satisfactory

remedy. His conclusion was that, short of action by the

Chinese authorities, a constant patrol of Bias Bay was the

only remedy. He had once discussed this matter with Admiral

Basire, who had promised to cooperate to the extent of or-

dering French warshipa when in the vicinity of Bins Bay

to put in there. He understood that the late American

Admiral had also been willing to coopérate. It was

standing instruction to British warships to put into

Bias Bay whenever practicable.

enough.

That, however, was not

Pirates had only once been way-laid. An Inter---

But the ship

national patrol would solve the problem.

told off for the duty would have to be a cruiser for the

only sure way of recapturing a pirated ship without sink-

ing her was to run along side and board her in the old

style. The question was, vers cruisers available.

Fail-

ing this constant International patrol, was it possible to

bring sufficient pressure to bear on the Kwantung author-

ities to make tham take action in their own interestst

In reply to a question by M. Yoshizawa, Sir C.

Clamenti said that Bias Bay was the only base from which

ocean going vessels were molested. There was of course

also a great deal of piracy in the Canton Delta, where in

two recent cases, Chinese gunboats had themselves turned

pirates.

Mr. Mayer asked whether, if Bias Bay were dealt

with, this would cover ocean-going piracy.

Sir C. Clementi replied in the affirmative.

Xons. de martel said that there appeared to be

two alternatives, (x) to render Bias Bay immocuous, (b) to

take precautionary measures,

sir C. Clementi explained the precautionary

measures already taken in respect of vessels leaving Hong-

kong. In reply to a query regarding the search of passen-

gers on embarkation, he said that owing to strist

inspection

Page 260Page 261