[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[July 24.]
SECTION 1.
[31410]
No. 1.
Colonial Office to Foreign Office.--(Received July 24.)
Sir,
Downing Street, July 23, 1912. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, with reference to letter from the Colonial Office of the 15th June, copy of certain papers on the subject of the opium trade.
I am, &c.
JOHN ANDERSON.
Enclosure 1 in No. 1.
(Secret.)
(Telegraphic.) P.
Mr. Harcourt to Governor Sir F. May.
YOUR telegram of 12th June,
Downing Street, July 22, 1912.
Every effort will be made to render agreement effective. Government of India, on a full review of the situation, are satisfied that the sales of certificated opium should not be suspended. Decision has been communicated to Sassoons by Foreign Office.
Sir,
Enclosure 2 in No. 1.
Officer administering the Government of Hong Kong to Mr. Harcourt.
Hong Kong, June 19, 1912. information copy of a letter addressed
I HAVE the honour to transmit for your to this Government by Messrs. David Sassoon and Co.
2. A copy of this letter has also been sent to His Majesty's Minister at Peking.
I have, &c.
CLAUD SEVERN.
Sir,
4th moon.
Enclosure 3 in No. 1.
Messrs. D. Sassoon and Co. to the Colonial Secretary, Hong Kong,
for
Hong Kong, June 14, 1912. WE beg to bring to your notice that a paragraph has appeared in yesterday's issue of the Chun Ngoi San Po" to the effect that the Peking Government have sanctioned the exportation of native opium from the province of Kweichow, and that the Financial Department of the province have issued a proclamation to all the native customs and li-kin stations to collect the newly proposed duty from the 1st day of the
your information. paper We enclose a copy of the above While China is imposing restriction after restriction on the trade in Indian opium, she is now allowing native opium to be exported from one province to another. Is this the measure of China's earnestness to suppress the opium habit? Ifer insincerity is too apparent to need any comment, and her action can only be described as scandalous. We cannot believe that His Majesty's Government, from whom we have every right to expect the fullest protection, will allow the present intolerable state of affairs to continue.
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