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I have forwarded a copy of your letter to the British Naval Commander-in-Chief at Hong Kong, but in the meanwhile I would point out that British warships are entitled to visit all places in China by virtue of Article 52 of the Anglo-Chinese treaty of Tien- tsin, which reads as follows:

"British ships of war coming for no hostile purpose, or being engaged in the pursuit of Pirates, shall receive every facility for the purchase of provisions, procuring water, and, if occasion require, for the making of repairs. The Com- manders of such ships shall hold intercourse with the Chinese authorities on terms of equality and courtesy.'

I have not been able to locate on the map the Hsin Hsia Ch'ung and Hsin Chiang district to which you refer, but presumably it is in the neigbourhood of Bias Bay, which, as you know, has been for years past a noted pirate base whence many piracies have been perpetrated on British ships.

In this connection I would refer you to my letter of November 25th concerning the recent piracy of the British steamer "Sunning". In that letter, and in my inter- views on December 2nd with the Chairman of the Political Council and yourself, the co- operation of the British naval and military authorities was offered to the Nationalist govern- ment for the suppression of the Bias Bay pirates, and I would urge once more in Chinese as well as foreign interests, that this offer should be accepted without delay.

Finally with reference to you allegation regarding the infringement of China's sovereign rights, I would observe that the enjoyment of soverign rights entails the assumption of sovereign duties, and one of these is the protection of peaceable foreign traders within the national borders. You state in your letter that the Nationalist government will not accept responsibility for misunderstandings and disturbances caused by the visit of the warships, but I shall be glad to know whether they accept responsibility for the losses to British shipping companies caused by piratical outrages which the government make no attempt to suppress.

I have the honour to be,

Sir.

Your obedient servant,

(SD) J. F. BRENAN. Acting Consul Generul.

VII.-Telegram of 11th December, 1926, from H. M. Consul-General, Canton, to Governor, Hong Kong.

The Secretary in charge of Foreign Affairs asks me to inform you that troops are now being sent to Bias Bay, and to request, that immediate steps be taken to prevent the escape of the pirates into Hong Kong territory.

He also asks that Wolfe may come up to Canton on 13th December. Please tele- graph if he is coming by steamer or train.

VIII. Letter of 14th December, 1926, from The Governor of Hong Kong. to H. M. Consul-General, Canton.

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge your letter of 6th December last addressed to me personally forwarding a copy of a letter dated December 6th from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Canton, regarding cooperation in the suppression of piracies.