CO129-553-3 Anti-piracy measures 7-3-1935 - 4-11-1935 — Page 67

67

assistance in the important enquiry you are holding into this matter.

8th February, 1935."

which crossed the following telegram also of the 8th February, from Sir John Brenan :-

*

I agree with the conclusions of the Commodore's meeting regarding the impossibility of searching and guarantees but I am strongly of the opinion that more can be done to make these ships internally defended and to provide guard and officers with some protection against surprise behind which they stand a fair chance of offering resistance. At present the guard stand in the open and can be shot from any side.

I personally inspected the Tungshow" accompanied by local manager and Superintending Engineer when they admitted that accommodation might be rearranged so as to segregate Chinese passengers and their baggage from foreigners and crew with sinc protection between. They promised to produce plans for this immediately and consult their London office.

Mr. Swire's view as to the action of the pirates on approach of destroyer is not borne out by previous experience and if accepted will always prevent Man of War from retaking pirated ship. Compare with IRENE case.

Local enquiry is proceeding and full report will be sent to you in due course.

#1

I quote all these telegrams because I consider it to be important in this grave question of the Anti-Piracy precau- tions which should be carried out, to make it clear that the Commander-ine Chief and H.M.Consular authorities, as represented by the very experienced Consul Generals at Shanghai and Canton, are all in complete agreement; and so is the able Commodore, HongKong, who is actually in charge of the Anti-piracy patrols and arrangements on the southern part of the China Coast.

14. I attach the following important papers in connection with the "TUNGCHOW" Piraoy :-

(a) Report of the Commodore, HongKong, on the Piracy of

8.8. TUNGCHOW", dated 9th February, 1935. (b) Further report dated 9th February, 1935, from the

Commodore, Hongong, together with the minutes of a meeting held by him in his office at HongKong on Monday, 4th February,1935, to discuss the weaknesses of the present anti-piracy measures in use by firms, að exemplified by the Piracy of the s. s. "TUNGCHOW".

(0)

15.

Interim report by the Commanding Officer of H.M.S. "GRIMSBY" (Senior Naval Officer, Shanghai), dated 4th February, 1935, on the piracy of 8.8. TUNGCHOW".

Before making some general remarks, I desire to call attention to paragraph 9 of Sir John Brenan's report, in which he says

"One of the chief criticisms made in the press on the Tungchow" affair is directed at the failure to make full use of the possibilities of wireless for ensuring that a vessel is proceeding normally on her voyage. It would seem that no arrangements have been made for coasting ships on the northern run to report their position at intervals as is done by vessels sailing south from Shanghai, at all events when valuable cargo is carried. "

I am sure Sir John Brenan, with whom we in the Navy work in the closest and most complete co-operation, will not wind my definitely contradicting the latter part of the above quotation from his letter, particularly when I add that I feel that perhaps I ought