11.
کر
grave concern.
22
I cannot too strongly mphasize the gravity of the situation which is arising in connection with traf- fie in opium and the importance to the shipping com panies in their own interests of being as active as possible in putting down the carrying of the drug in their ships.
It is of the utmost importance that we should have a valid defence against any accusations which may be made to the effect that we are permitting all sorts of smuggling and doing nothing ourselves to check it. 23.
His Majesty's Minister is reluctant to depart from the principle that British ships are immune from search except by officials of the Maritime Customs but he feels that unless the shipping companies can deal effectively with the abuses which form the subject of this letter His Majesty's Government may be forced to resonsider the policy of immunity and their whole atti- tude as regards the searching of British ships by Chi- nese authorities.
24.
His Majesty's Minister feels that in the new circumstances which have arisen it is no longer possible for the shipping companies to bring forward in defence of inactivity on their part the argument that the res~ ponsibility for preventing smuggling should rest with the Maritime Customs.
25.
In forwarding this letter for your careful con- sideration I am at the same time to request that you will furnish me with information as to the steps which you are actually taking to put a stop to the carrying of opium and other urmanifested cargo on your vessels.
I am
Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
Acting Co ngul-General.
(SIGNED) G.F,GARSTIN.