CO129-507-4 China- anti-piracy precautions- question of compensation to families of British officers killed or wounded 5-10-1928 - 2-1-1929 — Page 41

Copy.

(F 6336/43/10)

Sir,

CHINA ASSOCIATION.

99, Cannon Street,

London, E.C.4.

15th November, 1928.

41

This Association received the following telegram

from the China Association and the British Chamber of

Commerce, Hongkong on October 11th.

"The China Association and British Chamber of Commerce Committees unanimously request you to make representations to the Foreign Office concerning the urgent necessity for stronger measures for the prevention of piracy and the protection of Britisa lives and trade. In view of the very serious situation our opinion is that as a temporary measure and until the British and Chinese Governments are able to eradicate pirate bases the military author- ities should be urged to formulate a scheme for adequate guards on all British ships in the piracy zone. We suggest that the Straits Settlements and South China Commands jointly with the North China Command should co-operate to provide guards. This is only an extension of the principle already ac-- knowledged in the Straits and Hongkong in providing

military guards on certain British ships. If military protection is impracticable our opinion is that the British Government should be urged to re- inforce the naval personnel on the China Station for this purpose, expecially as competing Dutch vessels have naval and military guards under European non-commissioned officers."

This representation was not transmitted when it

was received because arrangements had already been author-

ised for the provision of certain Military guards by the

Singapore, Hongkong and Shanghai Commands. We have,

nowever, since been informed that the snipowners' represent-

atives in Hongkong have been officially advised that the

His Majesty's Secretary of State

for Foreign Affairs,

The Foreign Office,

Downing Street,

S.W.1.

employment/