52
by buying in the open market,
15.
The few foreign officers on the ships have to
contend not only against this formidable array but also
against the ingenious and everchanging artifices of the
amugglers. Furthermore, should the officers find smug-
gled cargo they have no armed party with which to en-
force their orders for its removal should the owners
show fight. The Naval Guard is not on board for the
purpose of stopping smuggling but for the protection of
British life and property, and it is highly undesirable
that they should get embroiled with Chinese smugglers.
15. His Majesty's Consul-General adds that "the
shipping companies understand that as the prevention
of smuggling is primarily in their interest, so they
mast make the greatest effort to bring this evil prao-
tice to an and, and they are doing what they can in
reducing the number of unregistered staff, in giving the
official organisation properly responsible for the coù-
trol of smuggling, 1.0., the Navigation Bureau, every
assistance in finding and pointing out the unauthorized
cargo, but unless they obtain proper support from the
Bureau the difficulties are almost insurso untable.
What is more, should at any time by some evil chance
a death occur amongst the search party on board a British
ship owing to the actions of some smuggler enraged at
the loss of his profitable cargo, a serious situation
may be on our hands, or at the best much odium will be
incurred by the British shipping companies which, it will
be said, allowed these evil practices to go on.
17.
His Majesty's Consul-General admits that the
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