Enclosure in No. 1.
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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
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Government of India to the Earl of Crewe.
August 31, 1911.
(Telegraphic.) P.
SIR J. JORDAN'S telegram No. 177 of the 20th August. According to Reuter, China is likely next to demand closure of Chihli and Fukien. We feel confident that, before giving their consent to this, His Majesty's Government will require the clearest evidence both that cultivation of opium has ceased in each province and that there is no import of native opium from other provinces.
We would draw attention to our right, under article 4 of opium agreement, to local enquiry by British officers, and urge most strongly that this right should be enforced.
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[36206]
No. 1.
Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.
- 9 OCT ||
[September 16.]
SECTION 1.
(No. 292.) Sir,
Foreign Office, September 16, 1911. I HAVE received your telegram No. 188 of the 30th ultimo, and approve your action in giving formal assent to the proposal of the Chinese Government for the exclusion of Indian opium from Manchuria, Szechuan, and Shansi.
I enclose herewith, for your information and guidance, a copy of a letter from the India Office urging the necessity for demanding strict proof as regards the stoppage of cultivation and of import of opium from other provinces before His Majesty's Govern- ment give their assent to the exclusion of Indian opium from them,* and forwarding a copy of a telegram from the Government of India advocating the enforcement of the right of His Majesty's Government to local enquiry by British officers under article 4 of the Opium Agreement. I shall be glad to receive your observations upon this point, and also upon the remarks contained in the letter from the India Office with reference to the quality of the evidence upon which His Majesty's Government have to rely as regards the cessation of production and of imports from other provinces in the case of Manchuria.
I am, &c.
* India Office, September 14, 1911.
[2182 --1]
E. GREY.