CO129-521-3 Piracy in Chinese waters- anti-piracy measures 9-4-1930 - 20-11-1930 — Page 71

There is no doubt that these guards

often kept off the pirates, and were thus

responsible for securing the safety of many

women and children, to say nothing of

valuable cargoes. It was, however, plainly

inappropriate that members of His Majesty's

Forces should be detailed for duties of

this character. They were accordingly

withdrawn this year, after due notice had

been given to the hipping companies con-

cerned. The latter, having to find guards

elsewhere, engaged, in so far as the supply

of Indian guards was inadequate, Russians

and Northern Chinese, who were presumably

the cheapest and most readily available

substitutes.

The "China Weekly Review" does not

apparently criticise this new arrangement,

except on the grounds that Englishmen should

have been employed in preference to foreign+

ers. I agree that it would have been more

satisfactory if Englishmen could have been

employed....