CO129-371 - Public Offices - 1910 — Page 17

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How then can it be said that, in view of the fact that the wholesale trade in British opium at this port is at a standstill in consequence of certain action taken by the provincial authorities, may interference in the matter is uncalled for?

In conclusion I would wish to state that prohibitive measures affecting the a legitimate trade of British merchants, which are not sanctioned by the agreement between the two Governments, constitute a direct contravention of longstanding treaty arrangements, and I should be sorry to think that your Excellency would be a party thereto. May I, therefore, again request that instructions in the sense of my previous despatch be issued ?

I have, &c.

J. W. JAMIESON.

[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.

[B]

C.

CHINA TRADE.

CONFIDENTIAL,

7433 16

Rec

Rrce 14 JAN 10

[December 9.]

SECTION 3.

[AMENDED COPY.]

No. I.

Sir,

Inclosure 14 in No. 1.

Consul-General Jamieson to Governor Sir F. Lugard.

Canton, November 10, 1909.

IN continuation of my despatch No. 119 of the 5th November, on the subject of the enforcement by the provincial authorities of the new opium regulations, I have the honour to forward, herewith, for your Excellency's perusal, a translation of a despatch which I have received from the acting governor-general, and to inform you that I have to-day telegraphed to His Majesty's minister in Peking in the sense of his Excellency's despatch.

I have, &c.

[44750]

(No. 205.) Sir,

Sir G. Buchanan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received December 9.)

The Hague, December 8, 1909, WITH reference to your despatch No. 103 of the 23rd ultimo, I have the honour to report that I am informed by the Netherlands Minister for Foreign Affairs that the Netherlands Government concur in the proposal of the United States Government to summon a second international conference for the suppression of the abuse of opium, and that they have informed the United States Government accordingly.

The Netherlands Government have at the same time proposed that the Conference should assemble at The Hague.

I have, &c.

GEORGE W. BUCHANAN.

Inclosure 15 in No. 1.

J. W. JAMIESON,

Sir,

Viceroy Yuan to Consul-General Jamieson.

Canton, November 10, 1909.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, in which you state that prohibitive measures affecting the trade of British merchants, which are not sanctioned by the agreement between the two Governments, constitute a direct contravention of long-standing treaty arrangements.

I find that the regulations for the suppression of opium in force in this province are drawn up on the lines of those submitted by the Government Council and sanctioned by the Throne--that is to say, that they are promulgated by the Imperial Government of China and did emanate from this province alone." This I have already made clear to you in my despatch of the 31st October,

As regards your statement that the Wai-wu Pu promised His Majesty's Minister at Peking to move the provincial authorities of Kuangtung to have all restrictions on legitimate British trade removed, I have the honour to call your attention to the fact that, although I have received no communication of the kind, these regulations, having been adopted, can only be altered by a memorial addressed to the Throne by the board, and that this Government are not in a position either to alter or abrogate

I avail, &c.

them,

(Seal of Acting Governor-General.)

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