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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.)
SOUTH-WEST CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
420
[March 3.]
SECTION 1.
(No. 48.)
The Marquess of Lansdowne to Sir E. Satow.
Foreign Office, March 3, 1905.
Sir,
I TRANSMIT to you herewith a copy of a letter, with inclosures, from the India Office, respecting the proposal put forward by Mr. Litton for removing the prohi- bition, under the Burmah-China Treaty, of the passage through Burmali of Yunnan opium in bond.
As you are aware, Mr. Litton's object was to increase the trade between Yünnan You will observe that the Government of India have no objection to and Burmah. negotiations being entered into with the Chinese Government with the object of securing the concessions which it will be necessary to obtain before Yünnan opium can be conveyed to the Treaty ports of China by the Bhamo-Rangoon route.
I request that you will bring the suggestions of the Government of India to the knowledge of the Wai-wu Pu, representing that the scheme is one which is quite as much for the benefit of the Chinese Government and its finances as for the benefit of India. You should, however, make it clear that the Government of India are not prepared to purchase the consent of the Chinese Government by concessions of material value in other directions.
I have to call your attention to the request of the Government of India that they may be kept fully informed of the progress of any negotiations which may be entered into in respect of the matter, and that they may be consulted before any promises which would bind them are made.
LANSDOWNE.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
* India Office, February 22, 1905.
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