YRS
2
taken up, and it is accordingly now contended that a serious situation has been created by the successful defiance, on the part of the provincial Government, of representations made to them by the Wai-wu Put at the instance of the British Legation, and that, in consequence, a diplomatic defeat has been sustained,
44
This theory of the foreign importers may or may not be correct, but, from a practical point of view, the outcome of the struggle has been a resumption of trade, subject to what is now described as grave inconvenience" to their Chinese friends.
On Messrs. David Sassoon and Co. (Limited) have just lodged another protest. this occasion it is against notification, issued by the prefectural authorities to the dealers of Namhong (Nan-hsiung, in the north of the province), forbidding them to sell opium in quantities less than one whole ball, and it is asserted that such a restriction is detrimental to business, in that it prevents free buying and selling.
I have not taken any action in this matter, as I do not see how a prescription of the kind runs counter to the spirit of the additional article to the Chefoo Convention, so long as the contents of a package of opium, conveyed into the interior under transit pass, after having been opened at the place of consumption, are not subjected to any tax, contribution, or restriction not enforced on native opium.
His Majesty's acting consul at Kiungehou, who was here recently, informs me that it is proposed to establish a monopoly in opium at that port, and that he has addressed suitable remonstrances to the local authorities. I ventured to assure him that his action was in order, as such a monopoly would be contrary to article 14 of the French Treaty of 1858. I have not learned since that the monopoly has actually been farmed out.
The taot'ai, who is at the head of the Provincial Opium Prohibition Bureau, caine to pay a formal call on me this morning, and in the course thereof expressed a desire to co-operate amicably with me. I pointed out to him that, while appreciating his friendly feeling, I would remind him of the fact that there are two parties to the triennial agreement, and that, so far at least, one of the parties had had cause to complain of having been treated with scant consideration.
I have, &c.
J. W. JAMIESON.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[4645]
Sir,
No. 1.
REC
C294
RegP24 FEB 10
[February 9.]
SECTION 1.
Colonial Office to Foreign Office.-(Received February 9.)
Downing Street, February 8, 1910. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, with reference to letter to the Colonial Office of the 12th January, copy of a despatch from the Board of Trade on the subject of the export of morphine from the United Kingdom to China and Hong Kong.
Sir,
I am, &c.
Enclosure in No. 1.
FRANCIS J. S. HOPWOOD,
Board of Trade to Colonial Office.
Board of Trade, January 28, 1910. I AM directed by the Board of Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 1st January with its inclosures relative to the export of morphine from the United Kingdom to China and Hong Kong, and, in reply, to state that the Board do not at the present moment contemplate the initiation of any legislation dealing with the matter.
As Lord Crewe is doubtless aware, a proposal for an international conference to deal with the opium traffic has been made by the United States Government and is now under consideration, and, pending a decision as to participation in the proposed conference, the Board are of opinion that any action on the part of His Majesty's Government in the direction suggested would be premature.
I am, &c.
H. LLEWELLYN SMITH.
[2636 i-1]