[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
369
C. O.
10011
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL
[21848]
No. 1.
[May 22.j
2015
SECTION 1.
Sir,
India Office to Foreign Office.-(Received May 22.)
India Office, May 21, 1912. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for India in Council to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated the 25th April, 1912, on the subject of the large amount of uncertificated opium imported to Macao from Calcutta.
2. In reply, I am to say that the Marquess of Crewe is doubtful whether the circumstances, as they at present exist, would justify effective representations being made to the Portuguese Government. It is apparently not alleged that opium is smuggled from Macao into any British colony or possession, and no complaint about illicit imports of Indian opium into China through the Portuguese possession has been received by His Majesty's Government from the Chinese Government. The sole allegation at present seems to be that the wholesale price of uncertificated opium in the Indian market is being raised, and this circumstance in itself is not adverse to public morality.
The Indian Government, anticipating in this as in other respects the provisions of The Hague Convention, has declared its readiness to prohibit or restrict the export of opium to any country which prohibits or restricts the import. If the Portuguese Government were to fix the maximum amount of opium which the opium farmer of Macao would be permitted to import annually and were to undertake to enforce the restriction, the Indian Government would no doubt co-operate in restricting export of Indian opium to Macao, and in confining the traffic to persons duly authorised by the Portuguese Government. But without the co-operation of that Government precautions in India to restrict the amount of opium exports to Macao could be evaded and would be uncalled for.
I am, &c.
LIONEL ABRAHAMS.
[2502 y-1]