The Commodore,
HONG KONG.
CONFIDENTIAL.
207
"SAN NALI HOI" PIRACY.
H.M.S. "T..RANTULA"
at Canton.
20th January, 1928.
No.152/37/1.
Sir,
With reference to my signal 1233 of 18th January, 1928, and to paragraph 6 of my No.152/37/1 of 18th January, 1928, I have the honour to report that I have consulted His Britannic Majesty's Consul General, Canton, on the question of demanding an indemnity from the Canton Government as a form of retaliatory action for the murder of the British subjects on board the s.s. "SAN NAM HOI".
2. His Britannic Majesty's Consul General is opposed to any punitive action in view of the fact that the Chinese Government dealt promptly with the pirates, and have promised to instruct the local authorities to investigate the alleged connection of the Seamen's Union, Kongmoon Branch, with the affair. Should the wounded and the dependants of those killed, care to claim compensation from the Chinese Government His Britannic Majesty's Consul General is prepared to submit the matter to Pekin for decision. At the same time, he is of the opinion that unless there is reasonable probability of the Chinese meeting such a claim it is impolitic to put it forward. A demand of this nature would, in his opinion, not be met under present conditions without resort to force which he does not consider is called for in the present case.
3: Under these circumstances no further action is proposed.
I have the honour to be,
(Copy to
HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S CONSUL GENERAL, CANTON).
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
(Sa.)
Commander
Senior Naval Officer
Test River.
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