CO129-547-3 China Piracy- anti piracy guards 25-1-1934 - 3-12-1934 — Page 47

COPY

DRAFT

M.01754/34.

Gentlemen,

July 1934.

47

With reference to your letter of the

19th June, concerning the "piracy of the 8.8. SMUNTIEN

I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty

to inform you that They have given careful consideration,

in conjunction with the other Departments concerned, to

the question raised in your letter of the provision of

naval or military guards for British vessels trading

between Shanghai and Northern Chinese ports.

2.

As you are aware, H.M. Government

decided in 1929 that thẻ military guards placed on

British ships permanently trading on the South China

coast could only be continued for a limited period until

the 31st March 1930 when the shipping companies would

have had time to make other arrangements. The supply

of guards was, however, extended for a further limited

period, on certain conditions, one of which was that

the full cost (instead of the extra cost only) of the

guards should be paid by the shipping companies, and

military guards ultimately ceased to be supplied in

August 1930, by which time an armed force under the

control of the Hong Kong police had been organised and

made available at Hong Kong, the cost of which is borne

by the shipping companies.

Messrs. John Swire & Sons, Ltô,,

8 Billiter Square,

E. C. 3.

3.........