2
as soon as possible that, on the receipt of a favourable report on the five provinces which are to be inspected this spring, His Majesty's Government will authorise the withdrawal of all certificated opium then remaining at the ports.
I am to request you to move the Marquess of Crewe to give Sir J. Jordan's representations his most earnest consideration, and to express the hope that he will see fit to urge upon the Government of India the extreme importance of consenting, with as little delay as possible, to the withdrawal of the stocks.
Sir E. Grey is convinced that the success of the action which is now proposed depends largely on the unconditional remission to China of all her obligations under the 1911 agreement, and that it would be undesirable to endeavour to obtain from her any contribution towards the cost of repurchase.
Apart from this, the financial aspect of the question is one upon which Sir E. Grey does not feel qualified to offer any observations; and the question whether financial loss in connection with these stocks should be borne, whole or in part, by the Government of India or by His Majesty's Government is one that Sir E. Grey considers cannot be discussed or decided departmentally. He desires, however, to call special attention to the position of the banks which have advanced money to the opium merchants, and to emphasise the importance of adequately protecting their interests in any measures which may be taken.
Finally, I am to suggest the desirability of coming to an early decision on the general question, and of leaving the more intricate financial points for subsequent consideration.
I
am,
&c,
W. LANGLEY.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[5126]
No. 1.
Sir Edward Grey to Sir A. Johnstone.
[February 7.]
SECTION 3.
(No. 4. Treaty.) Šir,
Foreign Office, February 7, 1914. WITH reference to my despatch No. 2, Treaty, of the 24th ultimo, I transmit to you herewith copies of letters from the Colonial Office desiring that the International Opium Convention of the 23rd January, 1912, may be signed on behalf of the colonies of British Guiana and British Honduras.*
I shall be glad if you will communicate with the Netherlands Government, as on previous occasions, with the view to carrying out this formality.
I am,
&c.
E. GREY
• Not printed.
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