}
Sir,
2
Enclosure in No. 1.
Prince Ch'ing to Sir J. Jordan.
Peking, August 31, 1911. I HAVE the honour to refer to article 4 of the agreement relating to opium, signed the 8th May last, which reads as follows:-
"During the period of this agreement it shall be permissible for His Majesty's Government to obtain continuous evidence of the diminution of cultivation by local enquiries and investigation conducted by one or more British officials accompanied by a Chinese official."
The majority of the various provinces having now reported that the cultivation of native opium has been suppressed, we ought to appoint officials to investigate in order to obtain reliable evidence. My board has now decided on a method under which, when the time has arrived to investigate any province, they will appoint officials from that province to proceed to conduct an investigation in company with the British officials deputed for the purpose in order that they may become acquainted with the actual conditions.
I have the honour, therefore, to request that your Excellency will notify me beforehand as to what steps His Majesty's Government intends to take in the matter of the appointment of the necessary officials.
Awaiting the favour of a reply, I avail, &c.
Prince CHING.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
C O 33819
OPIUM.
C
CONFIDENTIAL.
[36537]
Sir,
No. 1.
Foreign Office to India Office.
REC
sa 20 Cecl
SECTION 1.
Foreign Office, September 26, 1911. I AM directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to transmit to you, for the information of the Marquess of Crewe, copy of a despatch from His Majesty's Minister at Peking," reporting the steps which he proposes to take with a view to the investigation during the coming spring of the progress made towards the suppression of the cultivation and import of native opium in certain provinces of China.
Sir E. Grey proposes, subject to Lord Crewe's concurrence, to approve the action suggested by Sir J. Jordan.
I am, &c.
F. A. CAMPBELL.
* Sir J. Jordan, No. 343, September 2, 1911.
[2182 cc-1]
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