2
The
of the active principle that is contained in the salt of cocaine ordinarily in use. They further understand that a small factory could easily be established in Peru by a firm of druggists, such as Messrs. Merck, of Darmstadt, which could supply the whole world with the entire quantity of cocaine salts which it is likely to be able to consume. cocaine habit is recognised to have had far worse effects than the morphia habit, so that the non-adherence of Peru, even were all the European States to adhere to the convention, would leave the evils connected with the export of drugs to the East practically untouched.
In the present letter the Board have proceeded on the assumption that the articles of the convention which deal with morphia and cocaine and those which deal with opium stand or fall together. The question of the possibility of a more limited agreement which should concern itself solely with prepared opium is not one on which they feel it necessary to offer an opinion. In any case the manufacture of prepared opium (ie., opium prepared for smoking) is not carried on in the United Kingdom.
On a review of the whole situation it appears evident to the Board that the attempt to suppress the illicit trade in morphia and cocaine by united action in the countries of manufacture is bound to be futile unless, at least, all important European countries, as well as those of North and South America, can be induced to agree to proposals on the lines of those laid down in the Opium Convention.
I am to add that the expert consulted by the Board has pointed out that the entire suppression of the trade in morphia salts would be of little service if the trade in codeine salts were permitted to continue. At the instance of the German delegates the latter appear to have been omitted from the convention, but the Board understand that, though there is at present little abuse of this drug (which is now mainly manu- factured in Germany, but would undoubtedly be manufactured in the United Kingdom in larger quantities were the manufacture of morphia to be restricted), its effects are generally similar to those of morphia, and it might be counted on to replace it,
I have, &c.
GEO. J. STANLEY.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
C.
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
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No. 1.
365
0.
12296
[March 6.]
SE2 APR 13
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received March 6.) (No. 80.) Sir,
Peking, February 18, 1913. IN continuation of my despatch No. 57 of the 4th instant, I have the honour to enclose copies of correspondence with the Wai-chiao Pu relative to the prohibition of the importation of Indian opium into the provinces of Chilli and Kuangsi and the joint investigation of the three provinces, Shantung, Anhui, and Hunan, on the lines laid down in article 4 of the agreement of May 1911
The Wai-chiao Pu have noted the consent to the prohibition of the import of Indian opium into Chihli and Kuangsi with the greatest appreciation, and have proposed the 1st March as the date on which the prohibition shall become effective.
I have agreed to this proposal on behalf of His Majesty's Government.
In my memorandum of the 1st February I informed the Wai-chiao Pu that I was unable to add Shantung, Anhui, and Hunan to the prohibition list at present, but expressed my readiness for a joint investigation of these three provinces at the earliest possible moment on the lines laid down by article 4 of the 1911 agreement. The Wai-chiao Pu, in their reply, now state that they are very willing to co-operate to
this end.
Due arrangements will be made for the carrying out of the programme of inves- tigation in Shantung, Anhui, and Hunan as soon as the present season is sufficiently advanced to render an examination of the poppy crop practicable.
I have, &c.
J. N. JORDAN,
Enclosure 1 in No. 1.
(Translation.) Sir,
Mr. Lu Cheng Hsiang to Sir J. Jordan.
Peking, February 13, 1913. WITH reference to the prohibition of the import of Indian opium province by province, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's memo- randum of the 2nd February, from which your consent to the prohibition of the import of Indian opium into the two provinces of Chihli and Kuangsi has been noted with the greatest appreciation.
Although prohibition cannot be effected simultaneously in the case of the other three provinces of Shangtung [Hunan and Anhui], we note your suggestion that they should be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the opium agreement, and that representatives should be sent to carry out an investigation. This Ministry is very willing to co-operate to this end, and, when the facts have been established by examination, these provinces can be added to the prohibition list in due course.
It is now proposed to fix the 1st March as the date on which the prohibition of the import of Indian opium into the two provinces of Chihli and Kuangsi shall become effective, and I have the honour to notify your Excellency accordingly and to request the favour of a reply.
I avail, &c.
(Seal of the Wai-chiao Pu.)
[2850f-1]