}
2
friendly spirit, but it is not open to the Chinese Government to adopt measures in contradiction with their treaty obligations without a previous agreement with His Majesty's Government. If the Chinese Government persist in their present system of obstruction in regard to the opium question, it may become necessary for His Majesty's The memorandum which I Government to reconsider their attitude in the matter. banded to Mr. Liu Yu-lin on the 30th ultimo will have shown your Highness what generous terms His Majesty's Government are prepared to offer to the Chinese Government in assisting them in the work of progressive reduction of the importation of foreign opium, provided only no undue interference with the wholesale trade in foreign opium is permitted in the treaty ports.
Finally, I am empowered to inform your Highness that, if the Chinese Govern- ment will withdraw these objectionable regulations and undertake to observe in a proper spirit their existing obligations under treaty, His Majesty's Government are prepared to agree to an enhancement of the present consolidated import duty, if the Chinese Government can produce evidence that the taxation of the native article has been substantially increased.
I avail, &c.
W. G. MAX MÜLLER.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government?
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[30161]
No. 1.
Foreign Office to Messrs. Sassoon and Co.*
о
91
2.648
[August Big
TEELIS SEP 10] SECTION 1.
Sir,
Foreign Office, August 27, 1910. I AM directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th instant in regard to the additional tax levied on opium by the Chinese authorities in Kwantung.
In reply, I am to inform you that His Majesty's Minister at Peking addressed a strong protest to the Chinese Government on the 9th instant in regard to two instances of illegal seizure of opium at Samshui and Suntong, and that the latter promised to call for an immediate report on the matter.
I am to add that the Wai-wu Pu are now carefully considering the general protest which was made by His Majesty's Government some weeks ago in regard to the new opium regulations at Canton.
&c.
I am,
F. A. CAMPBELL.
* Also to China Association, mutatis mutandis.
[2860 dd-1]