(This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
100
[B]
OPIUM.
0
CONFIDENTIAL.
[16508]
No. 1.
[March 29.]
SECTION 1.
Minutes respecting the Opium Traffic at Macao.
MEETINGS have been held at this Office since January last to discuss with the Directeur général of the Portuguese Colonial Office (Senhor Eusebio da Fonseca), who has been deputed for the purpose by his Government, the steps which could be taken to place the opium traffic in Macao on a more satisfactory basis, in accordance with the spirit of the Opium Convention of 1912. Representatives of the India and Colonial Offices, together with the Colonial Secretary at Hong Kong and myself have been present.
Under the present contract between the Government of Macao and the opium farmer, which expires in June, 1913, the farmer is permitted to prepare 500 chests of opium for local consumption, and 1,500 for export.
In view of the fact that Hong Kong has a Chinese population of 450,000, whereas Macao's is about 90,000, and that the requirements of Hong Kong, carefully ascertained, are 45 chests a month (540 a year) for local consumption, and 120 for export to countries which have not yet prohibited the import of opium, it was felt that 2,000 chests for Macao was greatly in excess of her requirements, and could only be disposed of by smuggling into China.
Senhor da Fonseca expressed at the outset the desire of his Government to work in unity with His Majesty's Government to carry out the Opium Convention, and their readiness to adopt the regulations made by Hong Kong for the control of the traffic, and the result of the meetings has been to induce the Portuguese Government to reduce the total amount of opium allowed into Macao from 2,000 chests to 500, or 260 for local consumption and 240 for export.
The Governor of Hong Kong has at the last moment expressed the opinion that 260 chests for local consumption is still in excess of the requirements of Macao, but as the figure has been arrived at after prolonged discussion with the Portuguese representative, and with the concurrence of the Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong, the Colonial Office do not wish to press the point.
I would propose that in signing with the Senhor da Fonseca the accompanying "conclusions" of the meetings, which are submitted for the approval of the Secretary of State, I should add a note to the effect that it is understood that if, after a certain period, the number of chests agreed upon for local consumption at, or export from, Macao should respectively prove to be excessive, the Portuguese Government will consider the desirability of revising the amount.
Foreign Office, March 29, 1913.
B. A.
As we had practically agreed with Senhor da Fonseca respecting the number of chests before the Governor of Hong Kong intervened, it is rather difficult to go back on what was arranged, and as the Colonial Office make no difficulties about adhering to the terms settled we need not press for a reduction. It would, however, be well to add the note suggested by Mr. Alston.
W. L.
[2850 f-1]