This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.j
17
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[36302]
No. 1.
32749
9 OCT ||
[September 16:]
SECTION 2.
Sir,
India Office to Foreign Office.-(Received September 16.)
India Office, September 15, 1911.
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for India in Council to acknowledge the receipt of your letters [32551] and [32803] of the 21st August, and [32907] of the 26th August, forwarding papers regarding the restrictions on the trade in Indian opium in Fukien, and in reply to say that the Marquess of Crewe learns with satisfaction, from Sir J. Jordan's telegram No. 178 of the 20th August, that all improper restrictions in that province have now been removed.
As regards the claims of local traders to compensation for losses attributable to the existence of such improper restrictions, it is observed that Sir J. Jordan has already made representations to the Wai-wu Pu which, like those addressed to the Viceroy by Consul Werner (as reported in his letter No. 13 of the 30th June) have been without offect. Lord Crewe does not see his way at present to suggest any further action in this matter, but if at any time definite claims are lodged by the traders in question, as foreshadowed in Consul Werner's letter above quoted, Sir J. Jordan and the consul will no doubt support them to the best of their ability.
I am, &c.
R. RITCHIE,
[2182 q---2]