CO129-521-2 Piracy in Chinese waters- anti-piracy measures 9-1-1930 - 10-4-1930 — Page 105

lis Lammelevision (dubiicale)

THIS DOCUment is the property of his britannic mAJESTY'S Government.

Printed for the Committee of Imperial Defence. March 1930.

SECRET.

O.D.C. 585-M.

COMMITTEE OF IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

OVERSEA DEFENCE COMMITTEE.

Copy No.

02

111

Piracy in China Waters.

Memorandum by the Oversea Sub-Committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence.

THE Colonial Office have referred to the Oversea Defence Committee for consideration a telegram (Appendix), dated the 21st February, 1930, from the Officer Administering the Government of Hong Kong, dealing with the question of anti-piracy guards for shipping in China waters.

2. The whole subject of piracy in China waters was, at the instance of the Chief of the Naval Staff, discussed by the Chiefs of Staff Sub-Committee over a year ago, and a report (C.I.D). Paper No. 330-C) was submitted to the Committee of Imperial Defence.

3.

The conclusions of the Chiefs of Staff were as follows:- "(a) We are convinced that no satisfactory action for the protection of vessels against piracy is possible without the whole-hearted co-operation of the shipowners. This is at present lacking. We therefore suggest that pressure should be brought to bear through the medium of the interested parties, or by legislation, to make the shipowners responsible for the protection of their ships and passengers so long as it is within their power to do so, and to cause them to implement as far as is practicable those recommendations of the Sunning Commission which concern them. The following steps we consider to be of particular importance :-

(i) Improvement in the conditions of service in shipping companies so as to attract the best type of personnel. An increase of British personnel in the complement of vessels appears to be desirable. (ii) Fitting of protection to the bridge and other vital positions in the

ship.

(iii) The employment of guards, which might be organized at other ports besides Hong Kong, and which should be rendered as efficient as possible.

We fully realise that these proposals are likely to be fought by the companies on the grounds of expense, and also on the excuse that the fitting of protection to the bridge, &c., may contravene the Board of Trade regulations regarding access to boats.

(b) We suggest that the compradore, who is the keystone of the whole structure of shipping trade in China, should, if possible, be given a real interest in preventing pirates from coming on board. At the same time, it is realised that steps likely to incur the hostility of the compradore might seriously affect the companies' interests.

In any case, a more rigid examination of passengers on embarkation and during the voyage would appear worthy of consideration. [20735]

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