CO129-521-2 Piracy in Chinese waters- anti-piracy measures 9-1-1930 - 10-4-1930 — Page 179

189

exploited to the full to obtain their reinstitution.

If the so

agitations are resisted, the companies will then be forced to do what they should have done long ago - organise their ships properly for defence - end when this is done the position will be finally stabilised.

14. The Hongkong police authorities anticipate little difficulty in recruiting and training the requisite additional number of Indian guards, if authorised to do so by the shipping companies. The value of these mon may be evidenced by the

fact that the Douglas Company, which uses them, and which instructs its officers to supervise their work and the defences of the ship, have never had a piracy •

15. Finally, I would draw attention to a paragraph from the "South China Torning Post" (en closure Fo. 6), which narrates the steps about to be taken by a Chinese shipping firm to prevent piracies. These same stops have been urged on the British shipping firms who have always replied that exoept at Hongkong, Singapore and Shanghai, searching of passengers before embarking is impossible.

(signed)

VIC-ADEIRAL.