This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[40848]
No. 1.
4308 8
[November 23. NOT 08
SECTION 1.
(No. 767.) Sir,
Sir G. Lowther to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received November 23.)
Pera, November 12, 1908.
IN reply to your despatch No. 394 I have the honour to transmit to you herewith a Memorandum, drawn up by the Commercial Attaché to this Embassy, reporting on the production, export, and control of the trade of opium in the Turkish Empire.
I have, &c.
(Signed) GERARD LOWTHER.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Memorandum by Mr. Weakley respecting the Opium Trade in the Turkish Empire.
WITH reference to the request contained in the Foreign Office despatch No. 394 of the 19th ultimo, and inclosures, for information regarding the production and channels of export of the opium produced in this country, I have the honour to submit the following details which I have obtained from various dealers of that article in Constantinople.
Production.
The two special kinds of opium grown in the country are known to the trade under the names of "Druggist" opium and "Soft Shipping" opium.
"Druggist" opium, which contains a comparatively high percentage of morphine (11 per cent.), is, it is understood, solely purchased for the use of druggists, and the extraction of such pharmaceutical products as laudanum, morphia, &c., is grown in the following districts of Asia Minor:
In the Konia Province: Konia, Bozkia, Karaman, Belviran, Beyshehr, Seidishehr, Ilgin, Anghat Han, Dodanhissar, Akshebr Yalovadj, Kara Aghadj, Sparta, Aghraz-Gionen, Ketchi-Bourlu, Islam Keuy, Sinirkend, Oulu-Bourlu, Boudour, Aghlason, Kemer, Defni.
Broussa Province: Afion Karahissar, Seuyud, Bolvadin, Tehai, Eshakli, Karamuk, Azizié, Sanduklu, Diner, Tashkir, Ishikli, Tehivril, Kutahia, Aultuntash, Sakari, Bilédjik, Gheivé, Seuyud, Eskishehr, Balukesseri, Boghadij, Kabsud, Simav, Ushak, Ghedoz, Ummet, Taushanlu.
Smyrna Province: Denizli, Davaz, Adjibadem, Tehol, Baklan, Koulla, Eshmé, Démirdji, Alashehr, Einégueul, Salihli, Akhissar, Merméré, Kirkaghadj, Soma, Gheleboz, Aidin, Nazli, Bozdughan, Seraikeuy, Boladan.
Angora Province: Angora, Sivrihissar, Beybazar, Nallihan.
The following figures give an approximate estimate of the annual quantity of "Druggist" opium obtained since 1903 from the above-mentioned districts:
1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 Konia 650 2,550 750 1,490 800 750 Broussa 800 3,200 875 2,050 1,050 1,460 Smyrna 275 1,000 450 1,220 550 800 Angora 100 125 80 200 80 90 1,825 6,875 2,155 4,960 2,280 3,100[2020 s-1]
Each case contains on an average 50 okes, or 141.82 lbs.