[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government541
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[10346]
No. 1.
Foreign Office to Sir A. Hosie.
[April 6.1
0.0.
SECTION 549
RECE
(RECE 28 APR 10
Sir,
Foreign Office, April 6, 1910. THE suggestion made by you on the 18th October last, to the effect that a personal investigation of the extent of the poppy cultivation in China should be conducted in 1910 by one or more of His Majesty's consular officers there with a view to ascertaining how far the Chinese Government have succeeded in reducing the production of opium since 1908, when the agreement between India and China took effect, was referred to the Secretary of State for India, and by him to the Government of India.
Both Lord Morley and the Government of India concur in the desirability of some arrangement of the kind proposed, and I am directed by Secretary Sir Edward Grey to inform you that you have been selected for the purpose of conducting such an investigation.
Sir E. Grey understands that you have made arrangements for leaving England for China on the 11th instant, and he desires me to say that no unnecessary time should be lost in setting out on your mission after your arrival at Tien-tsin.
His Majesty's chargé d'affaires at Peking has been informed of your appointment. A further communication will be addressed to you with regard to the rate of salary you will draw during your tour of inspection and other financial arrangements.
I ami, &c.
F. A. CAMPBELL.
[2719-1]