[This Document is the Prope.ly of a Britannic Majesty's Governn
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[225506]
C
3290
217
[December 17.]
RECK
SECTION 1.
REA2 19 JAN 18)
No. 1.
Sir,
Foreign Office to India Office.
Foreign Office, December 17, 1917. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 26th November, on the subject of the recently imposed restrictions on the export of morphia from this country to Japan.
The reasons which impelled His Majesty's Government to take this step will be found in the enclosed opium print which Mr. Balfour directs me to send to you for convenience of reference.
As regards the effect of the new restrictions on the export of morphia from this country, I am to suggest that as the licences issued under the new regulations are issued by the War Trade Department, the latter will be in a position to furnish the India Office direct with any statistics which are required on the subject.
Certain amendments have recently been introduced into Japanese legislation for the control of the manufacture and sale of opium, and a copy of a report thereon, with translations of the new opium law, from His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo,* is enclosed herewith, for the information of Mr. Secretary Montagu.
Sir C. Greene will be instructed to keep this Department informed of any further developments which may take place in regard to the control of the export of opium, morphia, cocaine, and their products from Japan to China, and any further reports received will be communicated in due course to the India Office.
I am, &c.
* See Sir C. Greene's despatch No. 606 of September 13, 1917.
W. LANGLEY.
[2750 r-1]