CO129-547-3 China Piracy- anti piracy guards 25-1-1934 - 3-12-1934 — Page 51

COPY

JOHN SWIFE & SONS LTD.

8 Billiter Square,

sir,

London,

E.C.3.

19th June 1934.

The piracy of our 8.8. "Shuntien"

in the Gulf of Pechili is a new and very serious

extension of the pirate menace to British shipping,

which has hitherto been centred in South China.

Although we realise the difficulties presented by the

present political conditions in China, it is a matter

of great urgency that all possible stepa should be

taken to protect British shipping in Chinese waters

against the growing threat of piracy, under the menace

of which they are now trading.

To deal with the immediate situation,

our Shanghai house have wired us that they consider it

is a "vital necessity" for the vessels running in the

Shanghai/Tsingtao"Chefoo/Wei-hai-Wei/Tientsin service

to have naval or military guards.

We support their

urgent request and ask that arrangements should be made

for guards to be provided.

We are, Sir,

Your obedient servanta,

The Permanent Secretary,

The Admiralty,

Whitehall

(Sd.) John Swire & Sons Ltd.,

Mənagers,

China Navigation Company Ltd.

S. W. 1.