[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[54405]
No. 1.
[December 21,]
SECTION 2.
Sir.
Colonial Office to Foreign Office.-(Received December 21.)
Downing Street, December 20, 1912. WITH reference to the letter from this department of the 23rd July, and to the connected correspondence, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Harcourt to transmit to you, for the consideration of Secretary Sir E. Grey, a paraphrase of a telegram from the Governor of Hong Kong with regard to the Indo-Chinese opium trade.
2. A similar letter has been addressed to the India Office.
Enclosure in No. L.
I am, &c.
H. J. READ.
Governor Sir F. May to Mr. Harcourt.
(Telegraphic.) P.
Hong Kong, December 13, 1912. YOUR telegram of the 22nd July. Opium importers and British banks again represent critical financial situation due to accumulated stocks of Indian opium at Shanghai and Hong Kong valued at 12,000,0001, resulting from restrictions imposed by Chinese on Indian opium contrary to treaty. They urge sales of opium for China markets by Indian Government should be discontinued. Despatch follows.
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