CO129-521-3 Piracy in Chinese waters- anti-piracy measures 9-4-1930 - 20-11-1930 — Page 51

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the naval authorities in May, 1929.

This period was

liberally estimated to be about one year.

Indian guards were

also supplied by the Hongkong authorities in some cases for

the same protective purpose. There is no doubt that the

presence of these guards contributed to the immunity of

many ships from piratical attempts and that they were thus

instrumental in securing the safety of many women and children

to say nothing of valuable cargo.

character.

It was, however, plainly inappropriate that members of His Majesty's Forces should be detailed for duties of this

They were accordingly withdrawn this year after

due notice had been given to the shipping companies concerned.

The latter, however, being convinced of the continued need

for disciplined anti-piracy guards of some sort, have

concerted with the authorities at Hongkong in a scheme by which their ships will, at the companies' expense, be supplied

in the danger zone with a guard of six or seven men trained

by the Hongkong Police authorities. A contingent of suitable

men is specially recruited for these duties by the Inspector

General of Police in the colony; it comprises, for the most

part, Indians, Northern Chinese and some White Russians.

The "China Weekly Review" does not, apparently, criticise

this new arrangement except on the grounds that Englishmen

should have been employed in preference to foreigners. I

agree that it would have been more satisfactory if Englishmen

could have been employed. But the shipping companies had to

bear the expense, and no Englishmen were available on the

spot to undertake such work. Even if the shipping

companies could have obtained suitable Englishmen in this country for the wages offered (rather over one pound a week),

they/