[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[44190]
No. 1.
[December 5.]
SECTION 1.
(No. 194.)
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received December 5.)
(Telegraphic.) R.
Peking, December 5, 1910.
MY telegram No. 187 of 12th November. At interview to-day for further consideration of opium proposals, Na-tung declared that situation had changed since last meeting. He spoke of the strong agitation that is being conducted by foreigners and Chinese for immediate stoppage of traffic, and of resolutions passed last week in Senato for prohibition of cultivation of opium from 29th January, 1911, and of its importation from 25th July, 1911, and clearly intimated that Chinese Government, influenced by these movements, would be obliged to reconsider its attitude. The whole question had been referred to Ministry of Finance to consider from a revenue point of view, and their reply would determine future action of Government.
I reminded his Excellency that proposal had in the main emanated from Chinese Government and had been accepted by them in principle. They could not now, without a breach of faith, repudiate their written undertakings in defiance of irresponsible aggressions. His Excellency justified his change of attitude on philanthropic grounds, and endeavoured to argue that acceptance of proposals had been inado conditional upon reply of the Ministry of Finance to question of increased taxation.
The impression I derived from interview is that Chinese Government wish to wait result of present agitation before proceeding further with negotiations.
(Sent to India.)
[1804 ---1]
518
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.