This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[March 17.
191
C. O.
14714
SECTION Hard 26 APR 041
No. 1.
The Marquess of Lansdowne to Sir E. Satow.
(No. 87.) Sir,
Foreign Office, March 17, 1904. WITH reference to your telegram No. 27 of the 29th January, I transmit, for your information, copies of the correspondence which has passed with the India Office,* relative to the attempts made by the local authorities in China to impose additional taxation on opium.
The letter from the India Office of the 20th January incloses a copy of a telegram from the Viceroy, stating the conditions on which the Government of India would be prepared to agree to the threat being used to abrogate the additional Article of the Chefoo Convention, should the Chinese authorities persist in their attempts to subject foreign opium to additional taxation.
In view of the considerations set forth in your telegram No. 27 of the 29th January, the Indian Government have now agreed to the threat being used, and you are authorized, should you at any time consider such a step advisable, in a case of emergency, to warn the Chinese Government that the additional Article of the Chefoo Convention will be abrogated should the authorities persist in contravening that Article.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
LANSDOWNE.
* India Office, January 20; to India Office, February 2; India Office, March 9, 1904.
[1878-1]