(This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
C O 16339
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
Best 18 MAY 11
[April 27,]
SECTION 1.
(15498]
No. 1.
(No. 76)
Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.
(Telegraphic) P.
Foreign Office, April 27, 1911. OPIUM. Your telegram No. 104 of the 25th April. His Majesty's Government authorise your concluding agreement on terms secured by you, which appear to be as favourable as, in the present circumstances, we can well expect.
As regards the point raised in the Government of India's telegram of the 26th April, do
you think that the Chinese Government will accept the Government of India's proposal to spread the reduction of opium exports over the three years 1912, 1913, and 1914? If they refuse this suggestion it seems possible that they might agree that if the full reduction of one-quarter cannot be managed this year it should be made good in 1912. Should this proposal be accepted, instructions will be given to the Government of India to make as great a reduction as possible during the current year,
(Repeated to India.)
[1873 dd-1]
350