[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
C.O.
2
to lay before the Commission through Brunyate all the information in our power, we strongly urge that the following two questions should, in the best interests of India, be excluded from the scope of the inquiry: (1) Issue and consumption of opium in this country; (2) arrangements for gradual and provisional restriction of Indo-Chinese opium trade. Sikhs and other important classes, who are in the habit of a moderate consump- tion of opium without detriment, would have their minds disturbed by the former; and the latter would add to the difficulties of a situation, financial or political, which, affecting native States as well as ourselves, is already extremely delicate. We therefore trust that it may be possible to exclude recommendations on these points in drawing up the terms of reference.
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[241]
No. 1.
Foreign Office to Sir C. Clementi Smith.
[January 9.]-
3229 142 SECTION 1. 28 AL 09
Sir,
Foreign Office, January 9, 1909. I AM directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to send you herewith a copy of a letter from the India Office, inclosing a telegram from the Government of India, deprecating the discussion by the International Opium Commission (1) of the issue and consumption of opium in India, and (2) of the arrangements for the gradual and provisional restriction of the opinm trade between India and China.
Sir E. Grey concurs in the view of the Secretary of State for India that it will be impossible to refuse to discuss these points if they should be raised by the Commission. In such event you should adopt in the matter of the first point the course suggested by Lord Morley, while, as regards the second point, it is proposed to await from His Majesty's Minister at Peking a telegraphic report, which will be repeated by him to Shanghae for your information.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
F. A. CAMPBELL.
[2090 -1]