[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Maiesty's Government.]
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
25
C.O
24090
[June 19
SECTION RET 14 JUI 13"
-
(28003]
***
(No. 231.) Sir,
No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan tó Sir Edward Grey.—(Received June 19.)
Peking, June 4, 1913.
I HAVE the honour to enclose copies of correspondence with the Wai-chiao Pu, relative to the prohibition of the import of Indian opium into the province of Chekiang under article 3 of the Opium Agreement of 1911.
The memorandum of the Wai-chiao Pu has been the first intimation of their desire to have Chekiang placed on the prohibition list. In my despatches No. 157 of the 16th April and No. 218 of the 26th May reference was made to opium cultivation in this province. There appeared to have been a very appreciable amount of cultivation this season, although strong and successful efforts were reported to have been taken by the officials in the south-east. The poppy is in flower from the end of February until the middle of March, and it would not have been possible at this late date to have tested the statement of the Chekiang Tutu that opium cultivation had been completely abolished.
I have informed the Wai-chiao Pu that I am not prepared to place Chekiang on the prohibition list until I have made fuller and more detailed enquiries. At the same time I stated that a further communication would be sent to them on receipt of reports from His Majesty's consular officers at Hangchow and Ningpo, to whom instructions have been sent on the subject.
Enclosure 1 in No. 1.
I have, &c.
J. N. JORDAN,
Memorandum communicated to Sir J. Jordan by Wai-chias Pu.
(Translation.)
ON the 6th May the Ministry received a telegram from the Tutu of Chekiang to the following effect :-
"In March and April of last year officials were appointed to inspect the prohibition of opium cultivation in Chekiang, and during May all poppy was rooted up. Again in October the military stationed at their various posts sent officials to go round the country and investigate in order to guard against planting of the poppy. By the end of March of the present year even the hills and deep ravines were completely cleared, and import of opium from neighbouring provinces was strictly prohibited. I shall be glad if you will, in accordance with article 3 of the Opium Agreement of 1911, negotiate for the prohibition of import of Indian opium."
Prohibition of import of Indian opium into individual provinces has in the past been effected in accordance with the agreement. The Wai-chiao Pu has now received from the Chekiang Tutu a report, made after careful investigation, to the effect that opium cultivation in that province has been completely abolished, and that import of opium from other provinces has been prohibited. Reliable evidence exists of both these facts, and, as in the case of Chibli and other provinces, Chekiang should, pending the revision of the Opium Agreement, be included in the list of provinces to which the import of Indian opium is forbidden.
The Ministry has the honour to request that His Majesty's Minister will consent to this, and will be glad to receive his reply.
Peking, May 26, 1913.
[2965 -2]
(Seal of the Minister for Foreign Affairs.)