shalutoon offt od borofaqeob razmole?
.tal b53cb,aniwîTA selonom vot
COFT.
Cir,
Ondore 2.
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce,
со
8468
Race
Hongkong, and February,
Rege 16 MAR 11
251
"Vorest” amiezgodné quetrora gaturtotoя
ot biti mitqû not 180 defw %logomon rulgo be manke way modruar
to sunetai torttu" os në KUOMs ecastori onco is oonot otal snoo
084 xat Isna!II Istor énonenq qatdis" adenilo zag ex:'Ich 80S
.4102/10m tog pratIob 000,048 anodnsrgun bltur Jned" roq Bra'fob
vioyomom salidna nottiioda aaol rtovco boivad xat otimbe vyotent?
aird Insiune ateodorg xinuouse" da zodawn grezzao?" (gote)
*NTOYað alvtpoter all month coteau dosond tuennalt no dat
labeled to vino son aseonotat mi moitos dqmoq qiuaoood Jnom
„Igtonon opftaong galbent dalib** oala tud atmiloton rantqo
.nam bada
Jdevo
I beg to confirm my telegram of yesterday's date reading as
follows:-
$7
"Referring previous telegrans Viceroy Canton now
'arranged Opium Monopoly with Canton Opium fuild to come
"into force at once increase amounts to further increase of
"200 dollars per chest making present total illegal tex 480
"dollars per chest fuild guarantees 240000 dollars per men-
"sem Viceroy admits tax levied cover loss sholition gambling
"monopoly (stop) Hongkong Chamber strenuously protests againet,
"this further flagrant breach treaties urges Mis Majesty's
"overnment necessity prompt action in interests not only of
"British opium merchants but also British truding prestige
"generally.
Hewett Chairman"
This message will, I believe, fully advise you as to the pre-
sent condition of affairs in regard to the raw opium trade in wang-
tre
As my previous despatches will have explained, in our protests against the breach of treaties committeed by the past and present Viceroys of the Two Awang in respect to the opium tride, we have hitherto been supported by the native Opium duild of Canton and have been indebted to them for valuable information given as to the action of the Viceroys, and the effect of their regulations on the tv de.
It would now appear that the Viceroy has found it to his ad- vantage to come to terms withthe Guild, and by placing the Honopoly in
their hands, has purchased their support.
One reason for this step seems to have been that the original monopolist was suspected of not dealing fairly withthe Viceroy, who in any case does not appear to have derived the benefit he had ex-
pected from the monopoly.
THE RIGHT HONORABLE STE EDWARD GREW, BANT.,
H. M'S SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFVAIRS.
DOWNING STREET,
LONDON