[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Govern492 286
OPIUM.
RECE [FREG20 MAR 13
CONFIDENTIAL.
[7576]
No. 1.
SECTION 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received February 17.)
(No. 55.) Sir,
Peking, February 3, 1913. REFERRING to my despatch of the 7th January, I have the honour to forward herewith copies of two letters from the senior consul at Shanghai to the diplomatic body at Peking, transmitting two letters, dated the 31st December, 1912, and the 7th January, 1913, from eleven foreign banks at Shanghai, on the subject of the opium trade, and requesting that strong representations might be made to the Chinese Government for the due fulfilment of treaty obligations.
In their letter of the 81st December, the substance of which had been telegraphed by the senior consul on that day, the banks have stated that the Presidential order of the 25th December had caused great disappointment to the bankers and merchants interested in the opium trade. They protested strongly against the vague and evasive terms in which the order was couched, and were of opinion that it was likely to encourage the provinces in their high-handed behaviour. The banks considered, moreover, that the situation did not admit of the least delay, as all outlets for the heavy stocks in China were closed, with the exception of the Foreign Settlements of Shanghai, and dealing in opium would become a criminal offence from the 1st January. It was now quite evident, they added, that the provinces had been acting throughout with the approval and connivance of the Central Government.
In their letter of the 7th January, a summary of which was telegraphed by the senior consul on the 8th January, the eleven banks stated that, while the decision of the Indian Government as to the suspension of the monthly sales of opium for export to China was likely to ease the lightening of the heavy stocks in Shanghai and Hong Kong to some extent, it could not by any means be regarded tending to relieve the present situation unless the Chinese Government withdrew the illegal prohibitions on the trade.
23
The telegrams of the 31st December and the 8th January, and the letters of the 3rd and 10th January, with enclosures, from the senior consul at Shanghai have been duly circulated among the foreign representatives at Peking. They have not elicited any expression of opinion, except from the Japanese and Russian Ministers. The former made a note on the telegram of the 31st December, which the latter endorsed, that, "in view of the several applications made, through the senior consul at Shanghai, by the foreign banks concerned, it seems to be advisable that the diplomatic body will take some steps in the matter.” At a meeting of the diplomatic body on the 16th January, I spoke to several of my colleagues informally, but they showed no disposition to take part in the opium question. There was an evident desire to hold aloof.
I have, &c.
J. N. JORDAN.
Enclosure 1 in No. 1.
Senior Consul to Sir J. Jordan.
Your Excellency,
Shanghai, January 3, 1913. I HAVE the honour to confirm my telegram of the 31st December, transmitting you a summary of enclosed letter received from the foreign banks of Shanghai, dated the 31st December, on the subject of the opium trade.
I have, &c.
[2806 r-1]
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THORVALD HANSEN.
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