[This Document is the Property of His Britannig Majesty's Government.]
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[27496]
No. 1.
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27449
121
REC REG 28 JUL 14
[June 18.]
SECTION 1.
!"
Sir,
India Office to Foreign Office.—(Received June 18.)
India Office, June 17, 1914. IN continuation of this Office letter of the 4th December, 1913, I am directed by the Secretary of State for India in Council to forward, for the information of Sir Edward Grey, a copy of a letter from the Government of India on the subject of the proposal of the Netherlands Government for a convention between the Powers interested in the production and distribution of opium in southern and eastern Asia, to limit the traffic exclusively to the Governments of the countries concerned.
I am to suggest that, if Sir Edward Grey accepts the views put forward by the Government of India, the Netherlands Government should be informed that His Majesty's Government would prefer to await the result of the coming into force of the Opium Convention before deciding upon the need for a convention of the nature suggested. The Government of India have given proofs of their readiness to assist Governments possessing opium monopolies in preventing the smuggling of opium into their territories, and consider that this object has already, to a substantial extent, been secured. If further assistance is required they are able and willing to help, as the departure of opium from their ports is under strict regulation. Further arrangements can most suitably be made with the Governments concerned in accordance with Article 3 (b) of the Opium Convention.
Enclosure in No. 1.
I am, &c.
T. W. HOLDERNESS.
Government of India to the Marquess of Crewe.
My Lord Marquess,
Simla, April 30, 1914. IN your Lordship's despatch dated the 5th December, 1913, you asked for an expression of our views regarding a proposal put forward by the Netherland Government for the conclusion of a convention between the opium producing and opium importing countries, under which the traffic in opium would be limited exclusively to the Governments of the countries concerned. A proposal to this effect was put forward at The Hague Conference but was withdrawn, but it is now suggested that it might be possible to carry it into effect over a limited area, as for example, southern and eastern Asia.
2. In so far as the object of the proposal is to prevent the smuggling of opium, your Lordship is aware that we have throughout been ready to adopt any measure of co-operation and restriction which may be required to secure that end. Thus, on the conclusion in 1911 of the agreement with China, we voluntarily placed an absolute limit on our exports to the non-China markets, and have consistently acted on the principle that such exports should not exceed the legitimate requirements of the countries concerned. We have also expressed* our readiness to adhere to Resolution No. 4 of the Shanghai International Opium Commission, regarding the prohibition of the export of opium to countries which probibit its import. Later, and coming to more specific action, we have co-operated in arrangements culminating in an agreement with the Portuguese authorities, which will prevent the use of Macao as a centre for the distribution of smuggled opium. As regards the general regulation of the opium traffic in India itself, it need hardly be pointed out that, although a very large quantity of the drug is produced in this country, the entire trade is under the most effective control, and no opium can leave the country without official authority and otherwise than under the strictest regulations. Finally, by accepting the principle of direct sales to the
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[2183 -1]
Paragraph 8 of despatch dated June 2, 1910.