CO129-373 - Public Offices - 1910 — Page 263

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is now the seventh case which I have been forced to

bring to Your Highness' notice, in which the Provincial

Authorities of Kuangtung have claimed, contrary to di-

rect Treaty stipulations, this illegal levy on foreign

opium. It provides an additional proof of the ab-

solute necessity of withdrawing the new Kuangtung

Opium Regulations if constant friction between the

British and Chinese authorities is to be avoided.

His Majesty's Government cannot view with indifference

the neglect of the Chinese Government to put a stop

to these abuses in the province of Kuangtung, and I take

this opportunity to remind Your Highness that they

sericusly hamper the satisfactory conclusion of the

negotiations now proceeding on the main Opium question.

I have the honour therefore to request Your Highness

to issue telegraphic instructions to the Viceroy at Canton

to secure the immediate release of the chests of foreign

opium now detained at Canton, and to warn His Excellency

of the sericus responsibility devolving on him through

the continued imposition of this illegal levy on foreign

opium.

The favour of an early reply is requested.

I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to Your

Highness the assurance of my highest consideration.

(Signed)

W. G. Max Müller.

The

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