Concur
Get Emaus
in the terms of
q
th
draft reply
Copy comp. & for HK./F
corrisp.
R
144.4.21.
78@
14.4
G.G. 144.21
alor
In any further communication
on this subject, please quota
No, F 1199/15/10.
and address,
mat to any person by name,
but to-
"The Under-Secretary of State,"
Foreign Office,
London, S.W.L.
ediate.
Sir:-
зе
476
FOREIGN OFFICE. S.W.1.
April 12th. 1921.
17846
13
21
I am directed by Earl Curzon of Kedleston to- transmit to you herewith copy of a memorandum received from the Chinese Minister, enquiring whether the information
is accurate that the Government of India has agreed, at the request of the Government of Hongkong, to renew the Agreement for a direct supply of opium at a fixed price for five years beginning from 1921, and stating that the Chinese Government view the reported renewal of the Agreement with concern. Mr. Koo proceeds to express the hope of the Chinese Government that, in view of the proximity of Hongkong to the mainland of China and of the absence, so far as they are aware, of any prohibitive laws in Hongkong against the export of opium thence into the leased territory of Kowloon, His Majesty's Government may see their way so
to limit the supply of opium to Hongkong and regulate its export thence as will preclude the possibility of smuggling
to the mainland of China.
2.
Subject to the concurrence of Mr. Secretary Churchill, Lord Curzon would propose to return to the Chinese Minister a reply in the following terms.
"The information that the Government of Hongkong have requested, and the Government of India have agreed to, renewal of the Agreement for a direct supply of raw opium
to/
The Under Secretary of State,
Colonial Office.