CO129-507-3 China- anti-piracy precautions 31-10-1927 - 25-10-1928 — Page 280

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trouble is that these people do not know all the facts.

They only hear the Chinese propaganda side of any question

and their resentment is a reality which has to be taken

into consideration, however unreasonable it may be. There-

fore, without wishing to express an opinion on the offA –

cacy of the naval raids as a preventive measure for piracy

I feel compelled to voice my apprehension that their

continuance will lead to further anti-British agitation

and boycott in the present disturbed state of public

feeling in Canton. So far as independent action by the

British authorities is concerned prevention is better than

attempted cure, and the "Irene" case has shown that the

right method is to keep a worship at Bias Bay, when, if s

piracy is attempted, there is a good probability of

catching the pirates themselves.

5. As regards piracy in the Canton delta, I have not

ceased to urge upon the local Government that they should

avail themselves of the Services of our Best River

flotilla in combined operations against bandit strongholds.

An interview with General Li Chai-sum was arranged for

Lieutenant Commander C.M.Faure, a naval intelligence

officer, who tried to interest the general in such a scheme.

The enclosed minute or the conversation shows that General

Li appeared to give grudging approval to it in principle,

but as he is at present on his way to Shanghai to attend

a Kuomintang conference, I am afraid that nothing

more is likely to be heard of the matter for the

present. In the meantime piracy and banditry on the

inland waterways of the province continue unchecked and

trade is only conducted in circumstances of great diffi-

culty. I enclose a copy of an interesting report by the

commanding officer of H.M.S. Robin giving an account of

an incident which is typical of conditions on the West

River.

6./

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