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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.;189
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[3249]
No. 1.
[January 22.)
SECTION 1.
Foreign Office to India Office.
Sir,
Foreign Office, January 22, 1913. IN the letter from this department of the 7th instant, the concurrence of the Secretary of State for India was asked in respect of Secretary Sir E. Grey's proposal to approve the procedure suggested by His Majesty's Minister at Peking for meeting the request of the Chinese Government for five further provinces to be added to the list of those into which the importation of Indian opium is prohibited in accordance with the terms of the convention of the 8th May, 1911.
From the telegram from Sir J. Jordan, forwarded to your department under yesterday's date, the Marquess of Crewe will have observed that His Majesty's Minister considers that it is a matter of urgency that a reply should be returned without further delay to the request of the Chinese Government, in order that no pretext may be given for the suggestion that His Majesty's Government are not fulfilling their share of the obligations imposed by the convention. Sir E. Grey concure in Sir J. Jordan's opinion and would be glad to receive an indication of Lord Crewe's views on the question at his Lordship's earliest convenience.
I am, &c.
W. LANGLEY.
[2766 y-1]