CO129-521-2 Piracy in Chinese waters- anti-piracy measures 9-1-1930 - 10-4-1930 — Page 210

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In view of this it is questionable whether patrols

of naval ships can be said to act as a direct deterrent to

piracy.

The only remaining alternatives are therefore:-

(E ) The provision of armed military or naval escorts on board

ships.

(b)

(c)

The provision of armed guards raised and trained by the

Companies themselves.

The arming of all European Officers on board ships.

There can be no question that the protection afforded

by armed military or naval guards is complete.

Although vessels have beer pirated since the

inauguration of the present system, in not one solitary case

has any attempt been made on a British vessel so protected.

It is perhaps not fully realised what it would mean

for each shipping company to raise, equip and train an adequate

number of guards to protect all vessels operating in the danger

zone.

5.

The Companies themselves have no facilities of any

description for work of this nature, and in addition the find-

ing of sufficient suitable personnel as guards would present

very grave difficulties which we think you will appreciate.

Further the question of discipline, without which any armed

force loses the greater part of its efficiency, is a problem

with which, we submit, shipping companies are not in a position

to deal.

The whole question as to whether guards other than

those provided by military or naval forces afford any real

protection was, we think, fully answered in the recent case of

piracy on the s.3. "Deli Maru" which apparently was carried

out with comparative ease notwithstanding the presence on

board of an armed native guard.

60

The question of carrying of arms by all European

officers has been receiving the attention of Principals for

some considerable time but it is one which we es Agents only,

are

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