CO129-521-2 Piracy in Chinese waters- anti-piracy measures 9-1-1930 - 10-4-1930 — Page 170

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the cost and therefore in effect provide their own pre-

cautions against disturbance. But this illustration does

not strike me as really in point. more analogous case

appears to be that of a London shopkeeper r ceiving, in the

pursuit of his normal avocation, police protection (for

which he pays in the form of rates and taxes) against a

constant menace of armed robbery the police in the special

circumstances in Chinese waters being represented by the

Armed Forces of the Crown.

8.

However, there is probably no absolutely correct

analogy which would help to decide whether as a matter of

ri ht the shipping companies on the China coast should or

should not be required to pay the expense of any armed

guards which His Majesty's Government might be in a

position to provide, or whether their payment of normal

taxation entitles them to a measure of such protection

without special payment; and I would therefore once more

urge that the question be treated not as one of right but

of expediency. No doubt some compromise can be reached

involving some payment by the shipping companies, but what

proportion would be equitable or what proportion the shipping

companies can actually afford to pay are questions on which

I do not profess to be in a position to make recommendations.

9.

I have already recognised in my despatch Number

1055 the difficulty of providing naval guards from the

norm.l naval e stablishment in China. The provision of a

special force of Marines suggested by the late Commander-

in-Chief, dmiral sir . Tyrwhitt, raises questions outside

my competence, since I understana from .dmiral Waistoll

that it would involve an increase in the permanent

establishment of the Royal Marines. Nevertheless I trust

it may again receive full consideration as it may contain

the

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