2
have the honour to request Mr. Alston to ask his Government that efforts should be made to consent to the cancellation of the agreement and cessation of import, together with transport back to India of the opium stocks held at Shanghai. In this way it will become possible for China to obtain complete success in her policy of suppressing opium, and the friendly relations of the two countries will be strengthened. The Ministry specially hopes to have a speedy reply.
Enclosure 2 in No. 1.
Mr. Alston to Wai-chiao Pu.
MR. ALSTON has the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the memorandum of the 14th instant from the Wai-chiao Pu, requesting him to ask his Government that efforts should be made to consent to the cancellation of the Opium Agreement of 1911 and cessation of import, together with transport back to India of the opium stocks held at Shanghai.
Mr. Alston would state in reply that he is transmitting this request to His Majesty's Foreign Office.
Peking, July 17, 1913.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[36876]
29999 [August 9.]
6028 AUG 15
No. 1.
Mr. Alston to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received August 9.)
(No. 298.) Sir,
Peking, July 24, 1913. I HAVE the honour to enclose copy of correspondence with the Wai-chaio Pu relative to the placing of Kiangsi and Hupeh on the list of provinces into which Indian opium shall not be conveyed.
I have informed the Wai-chiao Pu that, on receipt of reports from His Majesty's Consuls at Kiukiang, Hankow, and Ichang, I will communicate with them again.
I have, &c.
B. ALSTON, ́ ́*
Enclosure 1 in No. 1.
198
Wai-chiao Pu to Mr. Alston.
July 3, 1913. THE Wai-chiao Pu have the honour to inform Mr. Alston that, on the 20th June, a communication from the Civil Governor of Kiangsi was received at the Ministry forwarding the following report by the head of the Department of the Interior :-
"With a view to the prohibition of opium in Kiangsi province, import of the native drug from other provinces was severely stopped from July of last year, and magistrates throughout the province were repeatedly enjoined to prohibit the cultivation of the poppy before it was planted. During March of the present year, when the poppy plants had grown up, capable officials were selected, and sent throughout the province to investigate and root up the crop. At the present time they report that the plants have been completely cut down, and the condition required by article 3 of the Opium Agreement has been reached in every particular. I have the honour to request the Wai-chiao Pu to approach His Majesty's Minister at Peking, and obtain the prohibition of the import of the Indian drug, in order to stop the poison at its source.'
"3
The tutu, therefore, requested the Minister to take action as requested. On the 1st July a telegram was received from the tutu and Civil Governor of Hupeh transmitting the following report from the head of the Department of the Interior of that province :—
"Since last year orders have repeatedly been issued prohibiting opium throughout Hupeh; its suppression was enjoined upon the magistrates of all the districts, the police and the self-government bodies, while, at the busier commercial marts, special bureaux were established in order to forcibly bring about the speedy prohibition of the drug. Moreover, deputies were appointed to look for poppy cultivation, to travel to the various districts and inspect on the spot; while the military has on many occasions been ordered to assist in cutting down the plants in the country near to their posts, in order to exterminate all vestiges of cultivation. I have now received reports from the various bureaux, magistrates, and deputies to the effect that poppy cultivation has been completely extinguished throughout the whole territory of the province. Sealed guarantees to this effect have been received from the self-government bodies, from district magistrates, and from deputies, and the tutu and Civil Governor have examined the evidence and found it true. In view of the facts that opium cultivation throughout the province has been extinguished, and that import of native opium from other provinces has long ago been prohibited, as can be found on referring to the records, it follows that the import of Indian opium should be stopped, in accordance with treaty, in order to aid the excellent intentions of friendly countries which desire to assist us. I have the honour to request that negotiations for the prohibition of import of Indian opium into Hupeh may be commenced with the British Minister at Peking."
[1836 i-1]
me
Salia