[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
OPIUM,
CONFIDENTIAL.
1863
PEG 19 JAN 11 [November 9.]
SECTION 1.
228
[40863]
No. 1.
Messrs. E. D. and Messrs. D. Sassoon and Co. to Foreign Office.-(Received November 9.) Sir.
9, Fenchurch Avenue, London, November 8, 1910. REFERRING to recent correspondence on the subject of the new opium regulations issued by the provincial authorities of Kwangtung, we have the honour to bring to your notice the following telegram which we have received to-day from our Hong Kong house, víz, :-
A proclamation has been issued at Canton limiting transit opium to Kiangsi Province, reducing quantity 30 per cent. yearly.'
From the above it would appear that matters are becoming worse rather than better, and that the Chinese authorities, emboldened by the success of their recent illegal taxation, are determined to still further harass the foreign opium trade. beg that His Majesty's Government will instruct His Majesty's chargé d'affaires at We Peking to make strong representations to the Wai-wu Pu with regard to this latest proclamation with a view to its immediate withdrawal.
We are, &c.
E. D. SASSOON AND Co. DAVID SASSOON AND Co., LTD.
[2980 i-1]