[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government. 359
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Rraf 12 APR 13
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
[February 22]
SECTION 1.
İ
Sir,
India Office to Foreign Office.-(Received February 22.)
India Office, February 21, 1913.
IN continuation of my letter of the 13th February, I am directed by the Secretary of State for India in Council to forward, for the information of Sir Edward Grey, a copy of a further telegram from the Government of India on the subject of the proposed purchase by the Chinese Government of the stocks of opium at Shanghai and Hong Kong,
I am, &c.
T. W. HOLDERNESS.
Enclosure in No. 1.
Government of India to the Marquess of trewe.
February 17, 1913.
(Telegraphic.)
OPIUM. Following information, which we have received from Bombay, is in continuation of our telegram of the 10th February :—
It is reported that an agreement has been arrived at between opium merchants engaged in China trade binding themselves not to sell below the following prices : In Shanghai, 2,400 Chinese taels per chest for Bengal new; 2,500 for Bengal two years old; 2,600 for Bengal three years old; 2,300 for Malwa In Hong Kong, 3,275 to 3,000 dollars per chest for Bengal; 3,050 for Malwa. These minimum prices are based on our upset prices of 4,500 and 2,500 rupees for Bengal and Malwa respectively. It is reported that a form of agreement has been drawn up in legal form and will be sent to China after signature.
(Repeated to Peking.)
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