Hongkong, 27th August, 1907.
Hon. Mr. E. A. Hewett,
Chairman,
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce.
Sir,
We have the honour to bring to your attention the following copies of correspondence in connection with the intention of the Viceroy at Nankin to grant a monopoly of the Opium trade in Nankin.
1. Copy of letter addressed to H.B.M's Consul-General at Shanghai by the foreign dealers in Opium there dated 27th June.
2. Copy of letter addressed to the Chairman of the China Association dated 11th July.
3. Copy of letter addressed to H.B.M's Consul-General at Shanghai dated 2nd August.
4. Extracts from "Sin Wan Pao".
5. Translation of a letter addressed to importers by the Swatow Opium Guild in Shanghai.
6. Translation of an official despatch published in the South China Journal of the Viceroy of Liang Kiang re the erection of an Opium Monopoly Office.
In connection with the above, which will give you full information on the matter, we beg to inform you that an emissary of the Viceroy of Nanking is now in the Colony and has actually purchased Opium for the Bureau.
We understand that the Chinese Authorities in the other provinces are closely watching the course of events at Nanking with a view, if successful, of forming monopolies in the other centres of the Opium Trade also.
We would therefore request you to give this important matter your serious consideration.
closure No. 1.
OP Y.
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