CO 324
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.DO
Rtes Rrat 22 4UG
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[July 21.]
SECTION 2.
[28694]
(No. 164.)
No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey,—(Received July 21.)
(Telegraghic.) R.
YOUR telegram No. 110 of 20th July: Opium.
Peking, July 21, 1911.
According to telegram from His Majesty's consul-general at Canton the regulation compels opium-boilers to mix anti-opium medicine with raw drug. Proportion of medicine to each ounce of opium is 50 cents, and purchase is compulsory from a monopoly syndicate.
On 6th July His Majesty's consul-general at Canton was instructed to inform the Viceroy that scheme was a transparent device to impose additional taxation upon raw opium in contravention of recent agreement, and that this renewed attempt on his part to ignore plain treaty engagements would be vigorously resisted.
On following day I addressed representations to the Wai-wu Pu in same sense, and they informed me that medicine was to be mixed with prepared and not with raw opium. I have not yet received text of regulation, but I have replied to Wai-wu Pu that it clearly infringes the spirit if not the letter of article 7, main object of which was removal of the restrictions and taxation illegally imposed at Canton.
In spite of repeated protests, both verbal and written, regulation came into force the 16th July, since when I have been in daily communication with Wai-wu Pu. The latter are, I think, sincerely desirous of observing the agreement, but Viceroy is evidently in great straits for funds.
I have just learned that 100 bales of opium covered by transit pass have been seized at Samshui. I am demanding their immediate release.
(Repeated to India.)
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