CO129-515-1 Piracy- legal proceedings arising from sinking of S.S. 'IRENE' 18-1-1929 - 6-9-1929 — Page 52

has been thought neesamɑry to deal fully with

the contentions of the Chinese Government,

view of the friendly relations new haglly estab-

lished between Great Britain and China, His

bajesty's Government have not modified their

view of the nature of the olsim and of

arguments and language by which it has been

supported, and you cay indicate that if

present reply does not, as His Lajesty's Govern-

ment earnestly trust it may, finally dispose of

the question, the National Government must expect

to be presented with a claim for compensation in

respect of the losses caused to British subjects

in recent years by pirates, on the ground that

these losses were due to the fact that the

Chinese authorities were incapable of suppressing

piratical activities themselves and refused to

permit repressive aotion to be undertaken by

His Majesty's forces.

49

..

I anggeat the above course of motion

for your consideralion because I feel that

while in the oireusatenges there is no

alternative