[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.j
C.O.
24265
-
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[4272]
Reco
Page 6 JUL 14
[February 13.]
SECTION 1.
No. 1,
Sir,
Foreign Office to Colonial Office.
Foreign Office, February 13, 1914.
I AM directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the 24th and 28th ultimo respectively and to inform you that he has learnt with pleasure that the Union of South Africa is willing to adhere to the Upium Convention.
In these circumstances it seems that there is no longer sufficient reason for pro- ceeding with the proposal contained in the letter from this Office of the 22nd January, which might in any case have given rise to some difficulties. I am therefore to suggest that it should be dropped, and I am to enquire what colonies and protectorates have not signified their willingness to adhere to the convention.
In the absence of any specific indication in your letter of the 24th January, Sir E. Crey would also be glad to learn whether he is correct in assuming that the convention should now be signed on behalf of South Africa without further delay, and he desires me to take this opportuntity to request that, if the Secretary of State for the Colonies sees no objection, the information asked for in his despatch No. 43 to Viscount Gladstone may be obtained by telegraph, as the question of the ratification of the convention presses.
I am,
&c. W. LANGLEY.
[2053 -1]
11