313
(signed)
I have &c.,
J.N.Jordan,
*982048
and the financial question of the redemption of the
details in connection with the working of the monopoly
before proceeding with any seriousness to work out any
of the Chinese proposals by His Majesty's Government
however, that Mr.Lu had been waiting for the acceptance
vance beyond this point. I gathered the impression,
of my conversations with Mr.Lu does not show any ad-
any detail when he presented his proposals. The result
Minister had evidently not worked out the scheme in
In my despatch No.60, I stated that the Foreign
the result of his representations.
Ministry of the Interior, and that he would let me know
would doubtless issue the necessary instructions to the
would lay the whole question before the President, who
appointed by the Minister. Mr.lu promised that he
¡
:
it was by no means certain, therefore,
could actually hand over any quantity
314
the merchanta
the opium with-
out payment. I was unable to enter into any detailed
financial discussion at present and said that it would
be well for the Chinese Government to formulate a scheme
for payment which could then be considered on its
merits. 10 Foreign Minister explained that the real
difficulty in founding a monopoly, and so reaching a satisfactory settlement, would possibly be found in the opposition of the provinces, They would be only too glad to undertake this monopoly themselves and would probably be jealous of any such enterprise if it was to be in the hands of the Central Government.
At a second interview on February 21st, I conveyed to the Foreign Minister the reply contained in your telegram().53 of February 14th. I laid emphasis on the points that fair remuneration must be made to the
A merchants; that the establishment of a monopoly
must be regarded as a means to an end namely the
eventual eradication of opium from China; that a speedy decision was essential in view of the stoppage of sales and the danger of speculation, which would
complicate