CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911 — Page 212

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FOREICH

OFFICE

to insist that the provisions of existing treaties res-

pecting the import of opium into China and to freedom

of trade should be strictly observed by China, and that

if she desired to modify those provisione she must pro-

ceed in the usual way by negotiation with the Treaty

Powers. Sir John was at the same time instructed, in

informing the Wai-Wu-Pu of the objections entertained to

their action, to make it clear that, pending the re-

sumption of negotiations on the basis of our recent

proposals, His Majesty's Government would insist on the

strict observance of treaty rights.

As regards Sir F. Lugard's criticism of the action

of His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton, Sir E. Grey

is of opinion that Sir John Jordan's despatch No. 445

of December 10th., copy of which was sent to you in my

letter of the 4th. instant, offers a satisfactory ex-

planation of that official's proceedings, and that the

belief entertained by the Government of Hongkong that

Mr. Jamieson has acted in opposition to the view taken

by His Majesty's Minister and the Foreign Office is

based on a misapprehension.

Whilst