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This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.)
10309
IS MAY I
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[May 2.]
SECTION 1.
[16425]
No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received May 2.)
(No. 110.) (Telegraphic.) R.
Peking, May 2, 1911,
YOUR telegram No. 77 of 29th April. Chinese Government have raised question of duty payable by certificated 1911 opium, of which there is believed to be a certain quantity in bond at treaty ports and in stock at Ilong Kong. I presume that it will pay at increased rate of 350 taels. This will discriminate between certificated and uncertificated stocks, latter of which pay 110 taels (see my telegram No. 104 of 25th April), but I see no help for this.
Chinese are afraid that certificated opium may escape increased duty by being taken out of boud before signature of agreement, and are very anxions that no notice of incrcase should be given to merchants, as apparently contemplated in paragraph 3 of Government of India telegram of 7th April.
(Sent to India.)
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