This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[November 2, 1903]
C: O.
2148
SECTION 20 JAN 041
12
No. 1.
Foreign Office to India Office.
Sir,
Foreign Office, November 2, 1903.
I am directed by the Marquess of Lansdowne to inform you that a copy of your letter of the 21st August was sent to His Majesty's Minister at Peking, with the request that after reconsideration of the letter from your Department of the 19th November, 1902, he would report whether, in his opinion, the apprehensions expressed in that letter were justified, or whether he considered that a point had been reached, not only in Canton Province, but also in other parts of China where opium is consumed, when nothing could be lost by reverting to the Treaty of Tien-tsin.
I am to transmit a copy of a telegram which has been received from Sir E. Satow in reply, together with a copy of a despatch, written by him before receiving the communication addressed to him in accordance with your suggestions, in which he points out that his hands would be greatly strengthened in dealing with the attempts to impose additional taxation on foreign opium, if he were permitted to convey a serious warning to the Chinese Government that the Additional Article of the Chefoo Convention would be abrogated if the provincial authorities continue their efforts to evade its provisions.
I am to request that Lord Lansdowne may be favoured with an expression of the views of the Secretary of State for India as to what answer should be returned to Sir Ernest Satow.
*Sir E. Satow, No. 320, September 10, 1903.
[2217 6-1]
I have, &c.
(Signed) F. A. CAMPBELL.
† Sir E. Satow, No. 246 (Telegraphic), October 29, 1903.