COPY.
CONFIDENTIAL.
H.M.S."KENT" at Hong Kong,
16th January 1930.
160
No.01034.
Gentlemen,
I have the honour to refer to my memorandum dated the 28th August 1929, No.01034, on the subject of anti-piracy measures in British merchant ships trading on the China coast, particularly in connection with the necessity for the provision of armed guards.
2. As you are doubtless aware, it has been decided to reduce the strength of the British garrison in the China Command by one battalion from Hongkong at the end of February 1930. Consequently it will be necessary to reduce considerably the number of military guards available in British ships.
3.
Further, it is the declared policy of His Majesty's Government that all military guards are to be withdrawn on 1st April 1930.
4.
In view of these facts, I feel that it is incumbent on me to advise the shipping companies concerned that consideration must be given to the steps they are prepared to take to meet the altered circum- stances by providing guards from other sources. The system recommended, as heretofore, is that whereby Indian guards are supplied through the Hongkong police department.
5. His Majesty's Government in Hong Kong, with whom I have been in correspondence on this subject, is prepared to build up the existing organisation for the provision of Indian guards to a strength adequate to meet all requirements of British shipping companies for the replacement of military guards.
6. At present there are about sixty unemployed trained guards available, while it is estimated that, if full advantage of this system is taken, up to 300 men will be required.
To increase the trained personnel up to this extent will take time and special recruiting arrangements will be necessary by which suitable men in Singapore and India can be entered.
8.
The Hongkong police department cannot, however, undertake to import a large number of Indians into Hong Kong on the chance of their ultimately finding employment afloat. Therefore, before recruiting on a large scale can proceed, it is essential that the police
authorities/
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