CO129-515-1 Piracy- legal proceedings arising from sinking of S.S. 'IRENE' 18-1-1929 - 6-9-1929 — Page 17

the operations of the Chinese pirate

until recent years, of a comparatively

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insignificant character. off the eomat 01

China, as distinct from the inland waters, acts

of piracy were during this period at most

sporadic;

oertɛin number of osses of

the seizure by pirates of sailing vessels

occurred, but such sotion in the case of stemmers

was unknown.

4. Since the year 1922, however, the

disturbed conditions prevailing in China have

anfortunately led to piracy being practised off

the Chinese coasts on a seale previously un-

known. Not only sailing vessels but steamers,

both Chinese and foreign, have frequently been

the victims of piratical action. In particular

it is notorious that of recent years Blas Bay

has become a regularly organised base from

which the pirates carry out their nefarious

sotivities. The usual method of the pirates

was to embark on a ship in the guise of innocent

passengers and to mise the ship by violent

me thođs