CO885-11 — Page 669

C. 14188/26 [No. 14].

163

663

C. 14188/26 [No. 7].

No. 115.

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

(Received 7.43 a.m., 23rd July, 1926.)

TELEGRAM.

[Answered by No. 117.]

23RD JULY. Confidential. Your telegram of 20th July.* The 500 chests are being imported for the use of this Government. Nemazi was Municipal Commis- sioner, nothing definite known here against him. He is said to be relative of H. M. H. Nemazi, but no information as to their business relations except that he is the local agent for H. M. H. Nemazi's ships. Owing to refusal of India to increase our supply, and to diminishing stocks of opium here, we have been compelled to buy Persian opium, and M. A. Nemazi's offer of 500 chests already referred to was accepted. At the moment we are not further committed to him, but we shall have to continue purchasing Persian opium, and it is probable that he will tender. Since 1912 this Government has from time to time procured supplies of Persian opium through M. A. Nemazi, and he has served us well. The only other dealers are Jews and Armenians.

C. 14188/26 [No. 6].

No. 116.

MR. A. TOTTENHAM (JOINT SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA)

to

THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA. (Copy received in Colonial Office, 23rd July, 1926.)

Finance Department (Central Revenues),

Simla, 14th June, 1926. Opium-Exports-Discontinuance of—Allocation during period of reduction.

SIR

Tele- gram from the Secretary of State for India to the Viceroy (Finance Department- Telegram from the Central Revenues), R. No. 1512, dated 1st June, 1926. Viceroy (Finance Department-Central Revenues), No. R. 1012-S, dated 4th June, 1926. My letter C. No. 694-E. 0/25, dated 26th May, 1926.

that In continuation of the correspondence quoted above, I am directed to say the Government of India have decided that during the period of reduction of exports of opium from India leading up to their discontinuance, the principles to be adopted in deciding the maximum amount to be exported to any individual country shall be as follows:-The total quantity to be exported in the year 1926 is 8,145 chests; 90 per cent. of 8,145 or 7,330 chests is, therefore, the maximum total quantity to be exported in the year 1927. This quantity will be allocated among the eight countries concerned proportionately to the average quantity taken by each during the five years 1922-26, both inclusive. In the year 1928, the total quantity to be exported will be 6,516 chests, being 80 per cent. of 8,145 chests, and this amount will be allocated in the same manner. The same principle will be followed in subsequent years. A tablet is enclosed showing the maximum amount to be exported to each country in each year up to 1935, after which no further exports will be allowed.

This decision is being communicated to the various Governments concerned, and they are being asked to let the Hovernment of India know what quantity they will probably require during the next few years. It is being pointed out to each country that the quantity allocated to it for each year is the maximum that the Government of India will be able to supply to it in that year.

I have, &c.,

A. TOTTENHAM,

Joint Secretary to the Government of India.

No. 117.

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR.

(Sent 2.45 p.m., 18th August, 1926.)

TELEGRAM

[Answered by No. 119.]

CONFIDENTIAL: Your telegram 23rd July.* In view of prominent part taken by His Majesty's Government in connexion with illicit export of opium from Persian Gulf further dealings with member of Nemazi family, in connexion with purchase of opium, would be embarrassing. Suggest you consult His Majesty's Consul-General, Bushire, as to possibility of buying direct from reputable dealer in Persia. Despatch follows.-AMERY.

C. 14188/26 [No. 15].

SIB,

No. 118.

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR.

(Confidential.)

Downing Street, 21st August, 1926. WITH reference to my telegram of the 18th of August, † in regard to the question tion of the appropriate channels for obtaining supplies of Persian opium, I have the honour to transmit to you, for your information, the accompanying copies of :-

(a) a letter dated the 16th of March, 1923,‡ from His Majesty's Consul-General, Saigon, to the Colonial Secretary, Hong Kong, in regard to the prosecution of Mr. M. A. Nemazi in connexion with an attempt to bribe the Director-General of Indo-Chinese Customs to facilitate the passage of opium into China;

(b) a memorandum, prepared in the Colonial Office, in regard to the activities of Haji Muhammed Hassan Nemazi of Hong Kong, and the steps taken to combat them;

(c) a memorandum, prepared in His Majesty's Legation, Teheran, regarding the activities of H. M. H. Nemazi in the past year;

(d) a despatch from His Majesty's Consul, Shiraz, covering notes of conversa- tions with a son of H. M. H. Nemazi.

2.

In the light of the information contained in these documents, and in view of the fact that the activities of various members of the Nemazi family have been brought to the notice of the League of Nations Opium Advisory Committee, you will no doubt agree with me that it is undesirable that your Government should have any dealings with any member of this family, in connexion with the purchase of opium. 3. In case it should not prove possible (or convenient) for you to arrange, in consultation with His Majesty's Consul-General, Bushire, to purchase Persian opium direct from a reputable dealer in Persia, I am causing the Home Office to be con- sulted as to the possibility of arranging for supplies through some firm in this country. In this connexion I enclose for your consideration a copy of a letter** which I have received from Messrs. Bellairs, Atkinson and Company.

I have, &c.,

L. S. AMERY.

* No. 114.

↑ Not printed.

* No. 115.

† No. 117.

† 26559/23: not printed.

Not printed here. C. 9298/26: not printed. C. 13188/26: not printed. ** C. 14188/26 [No. 13]: not printed.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O.882/11

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

C. 14188/26 [No. 21].

164

No. 119.

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

(Received 10 a.m., 24th August, 1926.) TELEGRAM.

[Answered by No. 120.]

* Opium. Since 24TH AUGUST. Confidential. Your telegram of 18th August. the date of my telegram of 23rd July† have arranged to purchase further 1,000 chests from the person named. I have given instructions that no further purchase be made from (?) him.