[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
510
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[18741]
No. 1.
[April 17.]
SECTION 1.
:
(No. 94.) (Extract.) (Telegraphic.)
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received April 17.)
Peking, April 17, 1913. ANY attempt to include opium in the question of recognition would excite Chinese public opinion and revive policy of obstruction, which is now quiescent. Present stocks, which amount roughly to 25,000 chests, are being worked off at the rate of about 2,000 chests a month, and unless we agree to alter existing conditions by closure of Shanghai settlement whole trade will be extinguished in a little over a year, as any revival of Indian sales is, in my opinion, out of the question.
[2879 r-1]