Strengthening of British trols, Ships' Guards and Gunboat Escorts London, Apr. 1.
In the House of Commons to-day, replying to Sir John Marriott (Conservative) with regard to complaints of the prevalence of piracy in waters adjacent to Hongkong, Mr, Ormsby-Gabe, Under-Secretary for the Colonies, said that steps were being taken to increase the number of patrol craft and the feficiency of the armed ried by ships and the escort by gunboats, Armed launjehes would be instituted in certain narrow waters.
'A local committee and an inter departmental committee at Home had considered the matter and the Colonial Secretary was communicat ing with the Governor to see wh ther the measures already adopted Jeould be improved.
Mr, Ormsby-Gore said that the present situation was due to the civil war in Kuangtung Province, which had completely disrupted the policing of the Canton delta ant neighbouring waters by the Chinese Jauthorities. Until order was restor-it was hardly to be further attempts at pirac would not occur. He point-fed out that punitive operations against pirates had been carried out on several occasions, with good POXING, Apr. J.—It is reported in Chinese military circles that General Ma Hung-kuei, the son of General Ma Fo-hsiang, has made a rail againat Ninghsia. General
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.