211
(378/11)
FOREIGN
OFFICE
Whilst accepting as substantially
accurate the
view that the action of the Chinese Authorities has
greatly interfered with the Opium trade at Hongkong, I
would draw your attention to Mr. Max Müller's despatch
No. 214 of the 29th. of June last, in the last para-
graph of which he reports that there appeared to be
little doubt that Messrs. Sassoon and other dealers had
artificially raised the price of opium at the Gover-
ment sales in India and had imported larger quantities
of the drug to Hongkong, Shanghai and other ports than
appeared warranted by the demand in the market.
I am,
Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble Servant,
Talaphell