[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
538
C.O
20085
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[19871]
No. I.
Foreign Ofice to India Office.*
¡REC?
[May 2.1
SECTION 3.
REG 13 JUN 13
Sir,
I AM directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to inform you that the Portuguese
Foreign Office, May 2, 1913. Chargé d'Affaires called at this Department on the 23rd ultimo in connection with the agreement concluded with M. da Fonseca on the Macao-Hong Kong opium question, of which copies were sent to you on the 17th ultimo.
M. Tovar expressed, on behalf of his Government, entire approval of the recommendations made, but added that, in order to give the arrangement greater stability, they would prefer to see it transformed into a regular agreement between the two countries with the addition of a clause specifying the period during which it should be in force.
If His Majesty's Government, however, would prefer to give effect to the arrange- ment by an exchange of notes, the Portuguese Government would be prepared to consider this proposal, but they favoured the first alternative as being fairer to the trade and being a more definite and permanent instrument.
M. Tovar added that he hoped that the question would be settled with as little delay as possible, as the soles take place in June, and if a regular agreement is concluded it will have to be submitted to the Portuguese Parliament for ratification.
Sir E. Grey is disposed to consider that there would be no objection to acceding to the Portuguese Government's desire for a regular agreement provided that clauses are inserted regulating the duration of the agreement and providing for its determination within a definite period on notice being given by either party.
I am to request the views of the Secretary of State for India with regard to this point, and, if he concurs in the proposal for an agreement, any suggestions which he may desire to make as to the wording of the additional clauses.
* Also to Colonial Office, mutatia mutandia.
[2926 6-3]
I am, &c.
W. LANGLEY.