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terms with General Id Chai-Bum. He was also in conflict with
the bandit irregulars led by adherents of Chen Chiung-ming
(
) in Hongkong and based on that Colony. For a typical
ruld conducted by the latter please see my despatch No. 165
of 26th September last. There was, therefore, no particular
reason why he should exert himself to suppress a pirate
organization which annoyed the Hongkong authorities and
brought discredit on his opponent in Canton by preying
on sea going ships in which he himself had no interest.
3. Un the recent ærival of General Chung sa-kuei's
1
A
) troops from Hunkow, which caused a political
crisis in Canton, Wu Him was eliminated it was stated
in the press that he was arrested and shot and his
place at Walchow was ta..en by fang 41-cheung (
}
one of Chang Fa-Luei's lieutenants. Wang i-cheung und
his troops have a bad reputation so far as law and order
are concerned and they are notoriously on the brink of
hostilities with the forces of Li Chai-sum and Wang dsiu-
hung (
), the Zwangsi leader. It is unlikely,
therefore, that any effective steps for the protection of
Bhipping will be initiated in his direction for the time
being.
4. In the absence of repressive measures by the local
officiale, the British authorities have tried the effect
of independent action and have on three occasions landed
armed forces in Chinese territory for the destruction of
houses and property in villages believed to be pirute
bases. What deterrent effect this has had on the pirates
is as yet uncertain, but it has aroused considerable
resentment in Canton, not only in government circles, but
also among the student classes who influence public
opinion in such matters. The resentment may seen un-
reasonable to those who know all the facts, but the
trouble /
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