IRECE
9154
BRDSKAEGE 12′ MAR 07,
Habruary 8th, 201.
2
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 injury owing to 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 XỈ of the Treaty of 1902.
It was further proposed that morphia and the necessary instruments, when admitted for medicinal use, would only be charged duty at the rate of 5 per cent. ad valorem, and not at the high rate at present enforced in the case of morphia imported for commercial purposes.
These proposals were communicated to the Chinese Government, and, in reply, they pointed to the difficulty of making any alteration in the Customs Tariff which was subscribed to by all the Treaty Powers; they further inquired whether the condition to the manufacture of morphia was intended to apply only to manufacture for commercial purposes or to manufacture for Government hospitals also.
The Chinese Government were informed, in reply, that the conditions as to the manufacture of morphia in China were intended to apply only to commercial manufacture. It was decided not to inform them that His Majesty's Government were willing to reconsider the question of the reduction of duty, should there be insuperable difficulties, until they have given proof that steps have been taken, without avail, to obtain the consent of the Treaty Powers.
The foreign Representatives at Peking have been informed of the facts of the case, and requested to lay the matter before their respective Governments, so as to avoid possible misrepresentation by the Chinese Government of the motives of His Majesty's Government.
lis Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Peking has recently reported that he under- stands from the French Minister that, according to French law, his nationals could uot be forbidden to manufacture morphia in China.
His Majesty's Government have reason to believe that the measures which the Chinese Government are anxious to see adopted would be readily accepted by almost all the Powers who enjoy most-favoured-nation treatment in China, and it the French Government could see their way to prohibit, by legislation if necessary, the manufacture of morphia in that country by their nationals, Germany, who appears at present unwilling to consent to these measures, might, it is thought, be persuaded to withdraw her opposition.
Foreign Office, September 10, 1906.
Air:-
433
Buron de overeau inferus mo that tra Cnf Jugo
inister here has asked the Belgian Governuwont to op
press the sole of opium, and any public to 1506
which 15 is amoked, in its Tientsin concession (1.0
only Belgian one in the uptre) and to pouhloft she
1portation of morphis and certain kindred narcotic
drigo into China.
His Fxcellency in s replied that is no opiau deng
or shops seiling opium have as yet been upand in tho
Belgian concernion at Tientsin he has no objection to
Promising that none sh:ll be allowed to be established
in the future, but that the prohibition of the import
of morphia. arist, bei re baigia cui ass Buo ny li
bilities in this respect, form the abject of
understanding between China nd the other Trouty
Drey, Bart.
P.P..
%C..
C.
Powers.