139
Extract from a despatch from the Officer Administering
the Government of Hong Kong to the Secretary of State
for the Colonies.
Dated 8th of June, 1928.
6.
For some weeks articles have been appearing in the local Press on the subject of the bias Bay pirates, and the intentions of the Canton Government to deal drastically with then. On May 27th, the pirates provided a commentary by seizing the China Navigation Company 's 8.8. "Tean", in Hoihow harbour, and conveying her to Bias Bay where they were intercepted by HMS. "Some" and the Chinese Customs Cruiser "Yeung Shing". The pirates made their escape but were pursued and forced to abandon their prisoners and a
portion of their loot. This incident moved the Canton authorities to take prompt action and a military expedition has since succeeded in releasing a number of prisoners who had been held to ranson ever since the capture of the s.8. "Solviken" in July, 1927. it is to be hoped that a proposal to station a military force permanently in this region will
be carried into effect.
It is alleged, however, that this region is normally too poor to support a sufficient force to cope with the brigands and it remains to be seen whether the Canton Government will be prepared to meet the expense of a permanent garrison. Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports have reached llong Yong of further military activity in the bias Bay region, resulting in the capture of some of the "Tean" pirates. This news if true is highly ratifying and goes
to show that the present Administration in Canton is at last
alive to the seriousness of the piracy menace.
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