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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
со
27908
RECE [August 825 UG |
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[30898]
No. 1.
SECTION 1.
Colonial Office to Foreign Office.-(Received August 5.)
Sir,
Downing Street, August 4, 1911. WITH reference to your letter of the 25th July, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Harcourt to transmit to you, for the information of Secretary Sir Edward Grey, the accompanying copy of a telegram from the Governor of Hong Kong on the subject of the prohibition of the import of uncertified opium.
2. Mr. Harcourt proposes, with the concurrence of Sir Edward Grey, to inform Sir Frederick Lugard that he agrees to the proposal that the prohibition should take effect from the 1st September.
5. I am to invite attention to the second paragraph of this telegram, and to suggest that Sir John Jordan should be asked to take some suitable opportunity of drawing the attention of the Chinese Government to the action taken by the Govern- ment of Hong Kong in the interests of China, and to use it as an argument for giving special consideration to the views put forward by the Colonial Government in connection with the railway agreement.
I am,
&c. G. V. FIDDES,
Enclosure in No. 1.
(Confidential.)
Sir F. Lagard to Mr. Harcourt.
(Telegraphic.) P.
[Received August 1, 1911.] PROHIBITION of importation or transhipment in colonial waters of uncertificated opium except for farmer had already been made by me, as suggested in your telegram of 28th July. Foreign [? merchants] strongly concur], complaining that Chinese merchants are importing for smuggling. Very desirable to put pressure on Macao and Kwangchowwan with a view to adoption of identical action." Actual maximum require- ments of former estimated at 120 chests per annum, latter 36.
If you concur, I propose prohibition take effect from 1st September, allowing time for shipment in transit. Action proposed officially great benefit to China by checking smuggling. Minister can perhaps utilise, with a view to obtaining assent Wai-wu Pu, railway rates we have proposed.
[2155 e-1]