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 62

"

(3 6141/43/10)

sir.

JOHN BIBE & BOX LIB.

63

Milter B‹gsare,

3.0.3.

November 8th, 1938.

Mati-nårser Erotestian in Chis

We refer to kr.8.7.Robertson's letter of October 3rd

addressed to str.Kounsey and Kr.Gwatkin's (3 5696/43/210) of

October 24th addressed to Er,Robertson.

We are now in rescipt of the fallowing telegram from

our Hong Kong house dated November 8th, «

*Piracy » have beam officially informed British "ÜOvernment they are not prepared to pametien employmena . "of regular troops unti-pirasy indefinitely and will be "withdrawn eventually. Sontenen ends here.

"Although foregoing possibly saly warning our opinio23 *in British devement they will sastume heavy responsi- *bilities if treeps precipitately withdrawn thereby *inviting pirates concentrate upen undefended ships. “Sentence enda here.

"In view of increasing risk(s) life - property - ** "TOOGEVEDÉ strongest possible representations retention *of military guards until ħaval personnel rainfereed er “Chinese Government able to suppress pirates base(s)* "otherwise British companies may be compelled to consider "complete abandemsent (native) passenger trade{u}. *Soutence ends here,

*in

*la view of frequency China Navigation Company piracy *Singapore inform us vitally important to maintain guarde *otherwise are certain carrying(s) will be seriously "affected. In any case would be met helgful obtain ast ***BUTANGs that frem - British Government wi 21 net tak *precipitate motion unless equally affective measurOS * substituted.

Sentence ende here.

"Officers' Guild are telegraphing to London to assist io obtain this assurance which in their opinion "tial to the satisfaction of officers concerned."

In view of the importance of British shipping interests

in Far Eastern waters, of which you are as well aware as we, we

damist too strongly mapcert this selegram arid impress upon you,

that it is essential to provide praper protection against piracy

for British tenango.

#e havo, eta..

(sd) John Bwdre à Bons Ltd. Managere, China Navigation Company Ltd.

The Under Secretary of State.

for Foreign Affairs,

B.W.1.