1925-05-14 — Page 4

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ARAEUS

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TESTING MACHINERY. STOCKS CARRIED.

THE PIRACY PROBLEM.

DEFENSIVE MEASURES ON SHIPS

AN INTER-DEPARTMENT CONFERENCE siderations we are satisfied that in. ad

Įkong.

were:

FULL TEST OF ITS REPORT.

EXISTING REGULATIONS APPROVED WITH FEW

MODIFICATIONS.

WIRELESS

AND INSURANCE LMPORTANT

Sir Gilbert..

OF OFFICERS: RECOMMENDATIONS.

ARMED ENGINEERS

"VITALLY NECESSARY."

19.Regulation No. 3 requires that each Cortilented officer whather on or off duty, 1-In the light of the foregoing con- shall carry on his person a revolver and 25 rounds of ammunition. It was urged dition to co-operation with the local upon us that it is unreasonable to insist. Chinese authorities and the maintenance on the application of this regulation to of as efficient & system of patrols as is engineer atients when actually engaged possible with the resources available to in the heat and cramped space of the, The "representative of the Naval authorities, defensivë measures engine zas. on board the ships themselves are vitally the Admiralty concurred in this view. Wes but accordingly given We accordingly recommend that this re- our careful consideration to such evidenes gulation Should Be modified in auch a as has been placed before us in regard ways to relieve the engineer offers of to the efficacy of the measures press this obligation when actively erdiged on cribed in the Piracy, Regulations in the their d'utise in the engine rodu.." light of the criticista of these Regala tions which have been formulated by the "Guilds concerted...

necessary.

THE DISCIPLINE ON SHIPS. --We were much impressed by the Ja-Briefly the contentions of the statement made by the Naval Intelligence the Canton Delta and Leighbouring Guilds were that the Captain Superincficer before the Coroner in connexion The following is the report of an Inter-

waters.#o the circumstances the only

tendent of Police is not a suitable per- with the Tits Lee Piracy. We consider Departmental Conference on Piracy in

measure which could be effective would

son to exercise supervision of the anti-that this statement has such direct waters adjacent to the Colony of Hong be the destruction of the pirate lairs,

be taken over by the Naval authorities; of the whole matter viz., the maintenanes The members of the Conference | the" whereabouts of the more important piracy arrangements, which duty should bearing on what we regard as the crur that the Indian guards which ships are of a proper state of discipline on ships E. A. Grindle, of which were apparently well known,

required to carry are not amenable to pleing in the Danger Zone, that we are K.C.M.G. C.B. (Chairman), Colonial in regard to this we were informed that

the authority of the masters of the ships justified in making the following quota- › the landing on Chinese territory of Bri

and are useless for defence purposes: tions from it:- Office: Mr. S. P. Waterlow, C.B.Etish military and paral forces for such

that the carrying of arms which may Foreign Offer; Capt. W. Tomkinson, a purpose is out of the question but that arrangements had been made to lend such friendly support to the local rasily fall into the hands of the pirates C.B. M.V.Q, R., and Commander E.

is an added danger even if the desire R. Carson, R., representing the Ad Chinese authorities as was feasible; and miralty: Mr. A. G. M. Fletcher, C.M.G., we were informed of the successful issue to obtain them is not direct incentive to C.B.E. Assistant Colonial Secretary. of as expedition undertaken by local piratical attacks; that the structural re- Chinese forces it accordance with these quirements prescribed by the Regulations are a hindrance to the working of the We are very sensible of Hongkong

arrangements.

ships; that generally the chances of suc- the value of these arrangements for co- operation with the local Chinese authori-cessfully resisting a surprise stack are zo ties; and we consider that whenever op slight that if (as they are required tg da portunities of such co-operation occur. by the regulations) the master and other certificated officer Resist to the uttermost," they are faced by almost they should be utilised to the fullest exi trut possible subject to the necessary

absence of adequate provision for their mitutions imposed by the political certain death; and that in view of the dependent it is unreasonable not to situation in China.

allow them to exercise their discretion as to the degree of resistance which should be offered.

The Right Honourabie,

|

SIR-We were requested by your certain Predecessor to enquire into representations which had been made by The China Coast Officers Guild and the Marine Engineers Guild of China in re gard to the measures adopted by the

6.--We are however sensible that in Governor of Hongkong for dealing with piracy in waters adjacent to the Colony, existing circumstances it would bo vain These representations were the out to expres anything approaching the com- It is there come of a series of piratical attacks which plete suppression of the bands of pirates

which infest these waters. had been made on ships sailing between fore very necessary that in the Danger in which a piratical attack has been. effective successful, it has been found that the Hongkong and neighbouring Chinese Zone there

of precautionary measures Piracy Regulations, have, in some essenti-! ports.

3.The views of the Guilds were sus can be devised and maintained with al respects, been disregarded. We have also had 'cited to us instances of attacks marised in a series of resolutions passed such resources as are available.

which bare failed.."

at a combined meeting of members of the two Ouilds held on the 3rd lot February 1924, and communicated to the Colonial Secretary, Hongkong, in a Tet terated the 4th of February, 1994. The

resolutions were:--

(1) That, in so far as piracy preven tion is concerned, the Police Depart ment be relieved from all duties in re- gard to seagoing and river steamers whilst outside the waters of the Colony and concentrate its attention to detect ing and preventing the embarkation of unlawful persons and/or firearms whilst these vessels are in Hongkong Harbour unless some Better method is devised.

system

should be

THE SYSTEM IN FORCE. -The system in force at the time of our enquiry may briefly be described as

follows:-

九 all

At the beginning of the year there were four of His Majesty's Gun-boats engaged in patrolling the danger zone, and later reserve gun-boat was pat inte commission with a crew lent hy one of His Majesty's ships on the station. In addition four armed launches were fitted out by the Hongkong Government, with civilian crews and commanded by Naval Officers with Naval gun crews.

rangements were made for the complete (2) That all arms and armed guards remianting of the launches by naval quired by the Piracy Regulations be crews). removed. from every vessel and then addition to the maintenance by absolute command thereof restored to these patrols the Piracy Regulations the Muster as laid down in the Merchant issued by the Hongkong Government re- Shipping Acts, unless some better method quire inter alia, that all certificated officers shall be armed at all times while

is devised.

(3) There shall be at once inaugurated a proper system" of patrol in the Danger

Zone.

(Inter

14-We understand that in every case

15. In the fight, of these reports we are satisfied that if the grilles required by the regulations are properly con structed and kept closed, the guards pro- perly posted and disciplined, the pas Bengers restricted to their proper quar. ters and the shipa.officers properly in- ed, there is very little chance of their being taken by surprise and every chance of their being able to resist successfully any attacks which might be made. We are moreover convinced that the know- ledge that all ships are is an efficient state of preparedness would act as a real deterrent to piratical attacks This view is borne out by the fact (as, we were informed) that the ships of the more "reputable lines, by which the re- gulations are observed and good dis- cipline enforced, have been immune from

attack

The conditions under which officers were called upon "to serve in these ships are such that the ordinary cleanli ness discipline and efficiency of a Bri- tish ship cannot be maintained by them. A 24 hours The fact that they are on agreement makes their position so in secure that many do not take" any trouble to exercise command-over their ships which are entirely in the hands of pilot, boatswain, and compradores,

It is impossible to expect the condi tions outlined above to attract men cap- able of carrying out the regulations, nr by their personal influence of zender- ing their ships unpopular with pirates. At present the owners regard British Ocers as a necessary evil which, mut be made to cost as little as possible. and they will not hesitate to dismiss a good man who does not fall in with their ideas, and put in place any ona from the water front who will pri vately agree to take less wages than the Guild rate.

"Unless pay conditions and com- prosation are made attractive good officers cannot be expected to stay in river steamAYS.

Unless you have good officers-in river steamers you will never get re gulations carried oat."

SL-It commenting on this statement the Governor of Hongkong has written as follows:--

It should be understood that these remarks do not apply to the well run European controlled ships, whose im- munity from attacks by pirates is pro- bably due to the knowledge that the rigalations are properly complied with, but to the Chinese owned vessels witick carry British Officers merely in order to comply with the conditions requ site to obtilia registration in Hong- kong."

29-We consider that if the Guilde

the ship is in the Darger, Zone" that NO CASE FOR BADICAL REVISION Concerned could contrive, by negotiation

4

OF REGULATIONS.

with the ship owners concerned, to im- prove the status of the officers in these badly managed ships, so that they would

WIRELESS FOR SHIFS.

the ship must be provided with bullet proof dodgers, screens, grilles and barbed

16. We therefore do not consider that be in position to enforce and maintain wire entanglements to the satisfaction (4) That all vessels subject-to-Piracy of the Harbour Master in order to render a case has been made out for any radi-proper discipline, the risk of piracy Regulations shall have wireless telegraphy the vital parts of the ship defensible. al revision of the existing regulations would be greatly lessened. installed and under the control of a com-

A scheme of defence for each ship is We understand that, particularly in the. petent operator signed on the Articles

drawn up by a Committee consisting case of old ships, full compliance with

23. The fourth resolution was to the (5) That Insurance be automatically of the Assistant Harbour Master, the the structural requirements of the Ris effected for every Master, Ofeer and Captain Superintendent of Felice. the gulations would entail considerable ex-

pense to the owners and that according effect that all vessels object to Piracy Engineer whos duty takes him into the master, and (if the owner so desires) a Danger Zone, the Premiums for such a representative appointed by the owner. ly the Hongkong Government has in the Regulations would have wireless telegraph surane to be paid with the money at The Regulations prescribe the number of past allowed some intitude in cases where apparatus installed, under the control

Articles. present paid as wages to the guards, rockets. Verey lights, arms and rounds of a strict enforcement of the regulations of a competent operator signed on the We not only agree that the chances in the event of them being removed from ammunition to be carried; and the carry would appear to entail special hardship. ing of specified numbers of armed guards. We were informed however that the po (6) That every case of piracy shall be The Regulations alw provide for the licy of the Government for some time of dealing successfully with any pirat the subject of enquiry at. the Harbour control and search of ships, passengers "paat has been directed towards the more cal attack would be greatly increased Office (as soon as possible after the out and goods before sailing, and for other stringent enforcement of the regulations. but we consider that the mere knowledge rage) with the Harbour Master as Pre matters incidental to the carrying out. We consider that this is the proper course that ships were fitted with wireless ap to follow, and we recommend that, the paratus and could summon help, would sident of the Court, which should con- of the Regulations.

Hongkong. Government should be invit act as a very great deterrent to such We therefore gave this suggen- sist of netice Mercantile Marine Officers

ed to consider ite desirability of an attacks. of both departments, with the addition of

nouncing that full and strict compli: tion our very careful sympathetic con- one artice Naval Officer.

ance with the Regulations will universal-;

the vessels.

(7) That a substantial reward be offer- ed for information which leads to the arrest of any person implicated in any piratical attack.

LARGER NAVAL FORCES NOT RECOMMENDED...

8-as we understand them the view

sideration,

ly be required after a certain definite 24.-We understand that its immediate

of the Guilds (so far as the first three period of time,

of the Resolutions quoted in paragraph

adoption presents several difficulties. In the first place, we are informed, many of 17-The Guards employed are Indians, the river steamers (and in fact our of 3 of this report are concerned) was that and we are informed that when it was the gunboats, operating in these waters) (8) That a reward should be paid in

the defensive measures at present laid decided to place guards in the ships, are so cramped that it is difficult to find all cases of seizure of arms and/or am-

down in the Piracy Regulations should there was at Brst considerable difficulty in munition.

(9) That three Resolutions be at once

The men were inexperienced in their

room on board for any wireless apparatus

b replaced completely by a system of finding suitable men. The number of

portable set. We understand that the presented to the Honourable the Celuzialective Naval patrols throughout the Indians in Hongkong is not large ard of greater power chan (possibly) a small

Danger Zoun.

the Government had to take such materi

range of such a set might vary betwee Secretary, for the consideration of His

9.In regard to this proposal we were al as it could find.

20 and 100 miles according to the at-- Excellency the Officer Administering the informed by the representative of the

Even such a set mospheric conditiona Government, and a detailed reply re quested in time to present to this meet Admiralty that it would be a matter of ing which stands adjourned till Sun-extreme difficulty to organise such an ex-duties and it is hardly surprising that would however probably be sufficient for 25-A greater difficulty lies in the cost. day 17th February 1924 at the same time tenaire avstem of Naval patrols that river, the conduct of some of them was open the purpose in view:

steamers would always be safe from pira- to criticism. The guards many of who and place for the purpose of receiving tical attacks; and that such a system of are old soldiers, have now been formed of maintaining and providing accom- into an organized unit under the con- modation for the necessary personnel.. auch reply.

patrols would in any case necessitate -We have held two meetings. At

very great expansion of the Naval trol of the Captain Saperintendent of At present some of the gunboats carry our first meeting held on the 17th of June, 1924, there were also present, be- Forces in Hongkong waters. We were Police, and an officer taken from the I only one wireless operator, whereas, il sides the members of the Committee, Sir further informed that, Naval establish dian Army has been detailed to superin- the suggestion were adopted, each river J. Jamieson (His Majesty's Consul-Gen ments having beer drastically cut down tend, their training and discipline. We steamer would require to carry two, (and since the war, there are no longer avail do not consider that the regulations re- the gunboats four) wireless telegraph eral, Canton) and representatives of the able any vessels of the special type whichgarding the carrying of these guards operators, in order to make possible a Treasury, the War Office and the India would be required to operate in the should be relaxed.. Ufice. At our second meeting, held of winding creeks of the Delta, that they the 10th of July, 1924. we had the ad vantage of a personal discussion with could only be provided at great cost, and

ΟΣ building Mr. W. Moore, O.B.E.,^-F.R.G.S... (Secretary, The Imperial Merchant Berary vessels and the provision of crews rice Guild), Mr. D. Bramah, C.B.E. would take a considerable time.

10. We are eatisfied that the situation (General Secretary, The Marine Engi

is not so serious as to justify our re neers Association), and Mr..J. Watson (Secretary, The Marine Engineers Guild commer.ding any such expansion of the of China). Representatives of the Mer- Naval forces in these waters. cantile Marine Department Board of Trade were also present at this meeting. CO-OPERATION WITH CHINESE AUTHORITIES.

that

the

the

TO THE UTTERMOST.".

proper system of reliefa

26-It was suggested to us that these difficulties would be greatly reduced it. a semi-automatito form of apparatun 18.--We consider however that there is capable of being operated by one of the force in the contention of the Guilds that ships officers could be installed. If semi- it is not reasonable that the ships officers automatic transmitting and receiving p should not in any circumstances bo al- paratus were carried, it would probably lowed to exercise their discretion as to be sufficient for one skilled operator quly the degree of resistance to be offered to be carried since it would not be It was suggested to us that the It seems quite possible for example, to necessary for him to keep continuou

mere emission of a distress signal unao problem might be solved by the adoption envisage circumstances in which the ob watch. We consider however that they of a convoy system, and we were inform ligation to resist "to the uttermost"

ני

ed that such a system had been brought might entail their certain death without companied by an indication of the posi into operation on certain runs. - We securing the ship against the attack Weltion of the ship would not be sufficient. agree that in special circumstances are assured by the gentlemen who were The objection that an automatic dis tion may be met by the reply that the 5.-After considering reports on the system of this kind may be useful and, present at our second meeting that ships: tress signal does not give a ship's posi-

Wo feel however that the officers would not contest that it is in cases of piracy which had occurred and desirable." ou the general conditions existing it seceral adoption of such a system could general their duty to defend their ship. approximate position of a ship on South China it was agreed that the pre-not fail to have a serious effect as a We accordingly recommend that the regular run at any given time is readily sent state of affairs was directly due to hindrance to trade, and that it could words "to the uttermost should be ascertainable, but we consider it to he the civil war in the Kwangtung Pro not remain in force for any consider deleted from. Regulation No. 1. We advisable that ships should be able to

(Continued on page 7.). vinee which had completely disrupted the able length of time without creating were informed that this would meet the set into communication with each other.

objections of the Guilds, on this fiend, policing by the Chinese Authorities of widespread dissatisfaction.