China
202
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government]
4
ueed affect the question of what action is most fitting to be taken by the Council within the settlement limits.
I would point out that two of the quotations given by Mr. Pearce from despatch of the 26th May, 1913. are, as that despatch distinctly states from "a report compiled by the representatives of a Shanghai opium firm."
my
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL..
Furthermore, in his comments on the present condition of opium poppy cultivation in Kiangsu, Mr. Pearce apparently loses sight of the speedy effect of Chinese suppression when brought to bear on a particular province, as illustrated in the cases of the recently closed provinces of Fukien and Chekiang,
I shall be obliged if you will bring these further considerations to the notice of Mr. Pearce, and impress upon him, apart from any argument as to the practical effect of the reduction of the number of licences on the amount of sales, the expediency of giving effect to the Council's undertakings, and the wishes of His Majesty's Government
in the matter.
I am, &c.
J. N. JORDAN.
[64662]
No. 1.
Foreign Office to India Office.
4156
REC
REG2 27 JAN 15
[November 11.]
SECTION 1.
Sir,
Foreign Office, November 11, 1914. I AM directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to transmit to you herewith copies of two despatches from Ilis Majesty's Minister at Peking forwarding copies of correspondence with the Shanghai Municipal Council concerning the opium licences issued in the international settlement.*
In acknowledging the receipt of these despatches Sir R. Grey proposes to inform Sir J. Jordan that His Majesty's Government have learnt with regret the unwillingness of the council to give their assistance in putting an end to this evil, and to instruct him, in view of Mr. Pearce's anticipation that the stocks in Shanghai will last for two and a half years, to remind the council, in whatever way he considers best, that the shops will all be closed as soon as the province of Kiangsu has been declared free of cultivation under the provisions of the Opium Agreement.
Sir E. Grey would also propose to inform Sir J. Jordan that, should the province not be declared clean during the early part of next year, His Majesty's Government would be willing to consider any measures which he may suggest for securing a genuine and considerable reduction in the number of licences.
I am to enquire whether the Secretary of State for India concurs in the proposed instructions to Sir J. Jordan.
:
O
I am, &c.
W. LANGLEY.
* Sir J. Jordan, No. 300, August 17; ditto, No. 345, September 29, 1914. [2296-1]