(This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.}
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[40003]
CO 35050
[November 3.1
Rece
Rrof 24 NOV 10
SECTION 7,
No. 1.
Sir,
Messrs. E. D. and Messrs. D. Sassoon and Co. to Foreign Office. ~ (Received
November 3.)
9, Fenchurch Avenue, London, November 2, 1910.
WE have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter, dated the 25th ultino, with regard to the opium regulations issued by the provincial authorities of Kwangtung.
We note that certain proposals in regard to the opium question in general are now under consideration, and we trust that a settlement of the whole matter will not be long delayed.
"
It is rumoured in China that His Majesty's Government is offering to China a new opium agreement on most liberal terms.' If any fundamental change is made in the old order of things, we trust His Majesty's Government will arrange that due notice is given to the British merchants interested in the opium trade, so that they may make their arrangements accordingly, and not be taken by surprise.
We take this opportunity of calling your attention to the fact that Japan has of fate purchased very large quantities of Turkish opium--a form of opium which has a very high percentage of morphia. The quantity purchased is far in excess of what could, by any possibility, be used for medicinal purposes in Japan itself, and it is generally thought that it is intended to send it into China viâ Manchuria in the form of morphia.
This possibility will doubtless be taken into account when considering the proposals to which you refer as being now under discussion.
We have, &c.
[2980 e-7]
E. D. SASSOON AND Co. DAVID SASSOON and Co. (Limited).
Līvāni
371