The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-07-08
PIRATES STILL -
AT THEIR CAME
Parts Of the Ex,orld ee,bere
5bey Attack Helpless Yes
sells and Obtain Plunder.

Piracy fiourishes today on the south
ern coast of China just as it did in the
sixteenth century.
Along this coast, from Hongkong to
the strait Of Hainan, extends string
Of islets which form perfect ambus-
cade and refuge for pirate junks. Here
they are secure from observation and
the unwelcome attention Of cruisers
and gunboats. ,
From these headquarters the Chinese
pirate sallies forth, raiding villages
and carrying off captives, attacking
and blackmailing trading junks, only
sparing the lives Of the merchant own
er Oh payment Of heavy ransom.
The organization of Chinese pirates
owes its power to the existence, Of se-
cret society known rs the Sam ITEM, to-
which nearly half the coast population
belongs, although many members take
no active part. This society is divided,
into different sections, most Of which
are headed by Chinese officials who
have been dismissed from office.
The Sam ITEM battles every effort to.
bring its members to justice owing to-
the dread the society inspires. Its In
telligence department is superlativelyJ
good. and to any one who informs
against the Sam ITEM or disobeys it's
| mandates a terrible fate Is meted OUT
by way Of revenge.
The object Of the pirates is to obtain
the most plunder with the least possi-
BILE risk; hence it is very unusual for
them to attack vessel with Europe
ans on board, as they would be likely
to offer resistance, SO they confnei
their attention to native vessels as al
rule, carrying off rich Cinnamon or
their families and holding them cap-j
tive In some Of the islands until ram,
| som Is forthcoming. Should this not
arrive the victims are murdered.
In addition, these miscreants are af-sI
forded every possible protection bW
/ ambitious ministers looking for promo
ton, who find their depredations andl
outrages exceedingly useful as a lever
to GUST higher official from his niche,I
knowing that If any governing of1ciaN
shows himself incapable Of keeping or-l
der In his district he is removed and
generally beheaded, while an inferior
Ia put in his place.
Thus 1t will be seen that the Sam
ITEM Is very important part Of the
political machinery, and whateverI
measures are taken to stamp out the
Chinese pirate he will always spring
up again whenever needed by the pow,
ers that be.
The Red sea has long been infested
with pirates. Their stronghold is Midi 1
town on the Arabian coast and al
veritable nest of pirates. So bold did
they become that from attacking the
native sailing craft, pearl fishers and
such small fry they finally few att
higher game and got themselves into|
trouble with the Italian government.
In spite of the three Turkish war;
ships that were supposed to be policing
the Arabian coast the pirates attacked.
an Italian merchantmen of Massaua
and were pursued by two italian gum
boats to Midi, where they took shelter,
the gunboats shelling the town to drive.
them out.
A demand was made to the Turkish
authorities by the Italian government
for their apprehension, but to no avail.
Italy then sent three warships and
landed troops and guns at Midi.
The pirates at once took to sea-
where they were intercepted and beat
en- back by four italian launches after
determined resistance. during which,
two sailors were killed, for which the
Italians claimed an Indemnity Of $4,000
and the delivering up Of the pirates.
The prescribed conditions being ac-
cepted, the troops ceased firing and
were withdrawn. Undeterred by this,.
two piratical dhows shortly afterward
attacked 81. M. s. Lapwing of Fac.
fight ensued, il which the dhows were
compelled to run ashore, the crews.
numbering some 400 men, taking cover
in long grass.
The pirates were eventually driven
OFF, with fifteen Of their number killed,
and some wounded, while the British
had one killed and one wounded. Their
dhows We're captured and taken t9lls
Bussorah, where they were Identified
as well known piratical craft. e