[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
{
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
4256
RECEIVED 1LB 06
SECTION 2.
116
(No. 11.) Sir,
Sir Edward Grey to Sir E. Satow.
Foreign Office, January 12, 1906,
I HAVE considered in consultation with the Board of Trade your despatches Nos. 341 and 350 of 16th and 25th October last, respecting the attempt of the Chinese Government to prohibit the import of morphia into China contrary to Treaty.
I approve the steps taken by you which have resulted in the withdrawal of the prohibition. As, however, the desire of the Chinese Government to prevent the indiscriminate sale of the drug is in itself laudable, His Majesty's Government might not withhold their consent to the prohibition of the entry of morphia into China on the following conditions:-
1. That the Chinese Government should in the first place obtain the consent of all the Treaty Powers.
2. That they should undertake to prevent the manufacture of morphia in China.
3. That sufficient notice should be given before the prohibition comes into force in order that the importers of the drug may be protected from the injury which would result from the measure being sprung upon them.
4. That provision should be made for the importation into China of morphia for medicinal purposes on conditions similar to those laid down in Article XI of the Treaty of 1902, and that on such morphia a duty not exceeding 5 per cent. ad valorem should be imposed.
I shall be glad of your opinion, now that the Chinese Government have withdrawn the prohibition issued by them contrary to Treaty, whether there is any objection to His Majesty's Government consenting to the prohibition on the conditions above mentioned.
Should you see no objection to such a course, you are authorized to inform the Chinese Government accordingly whenever you consider that such a communication can be made with advantage.
I inclose for your information copies of the letter which I addressed to the Board of Trade on the subject, and of the Board's reply.*
I am, &c.
(Signed)
EDWARD GREY.
To Board of Trade, December 23, 1905; Board of Trade, January 4, 1906.
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