The passengers, all Chinese, were mustered on deck and systematic ly search by a number of the pirates. The others attended to the luggage below. The ofcers'eabine were ransacked.
Some cases of cargo, mostly tweeds and woollens, were broken open. The search lasted 10 hours, When it was over a huge pile of loot had accumulated on deck.
During the voyage the dewperadoes were in gay humour.
'Some took turns at guard, while the rest merry and had feasts in the ons and officers' mess made free use of the pantry and of the bar.
Approaching Hongkong last night the pirates became very watchful. Al LI lights were extinguished and the officers threatened with instant death if the Anking were chal longed. A Blue Funnel liner and other vessels were sighted but these vere dodged.
Bias Bay was given a wide berth for fear of ships, and the inking entered Honghai Bay without incident, anchoring at Rose He jead at one o'clock this morning.
The Pirates Clear Out Gathering their loot, the pirates disembarked in three life-boats, taking seven Chinsve _passenge for ransom and also carrying of Mr. Bird, The Chinese crew wore compelled row the lifeboats, but the third engineer and the sailors were sub-Jeequently released and allowed to tur to the vessel.
The total haul $80,000, besides a large.quantity jewellery and other valuables.
The ship weighed anchor at daylight, and arrived in Hongkong this Captain Plunkett-Cole and Mr. Campbell. were immediately taken to hospital.
Neither is seriously wounded.
The other officers appear very cheerful in spite of their long. and trying ordeal, The piracy Tins excited the deepest concern among seafarers and miereantile men.
Tt is the most to Reuter's represents ing, Mr. T. V. Soong, Miniater of Finance, declared "There is an intense, interest throughout the country in the immediate accomplishment of tariff autonomy. Chambers of Commerce and individuals are constantly asking the Government: "What kind of national revolution is this if we cannot even make our own drawn up by the specially appointed tariff commission. It is being examined by the Finance Ministry and will be shortly submitted to the Government Council for approval and official promulgation."
Disadvantage to Distant Countries 'Mr. Soong was asked to elucidate the question raised in some tireless that, should a new schedule be enforced, countries close to China might gain an advantage over others more distant by sending] across large quantities of goods' at. short notice in order to escape' the higher duties—a thing which would be impossible for countries far "This point," Mr, Soong stated, is being carefully stadicd by the authorities. proposal that before the new schedule la enforced, advance notice should be given the Powers, may be adopted." Measures, he said, would be taken by the Nationalist Government to remedy the situntfon, but just what steps he would not say.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.