CO129-382 - Public Offices - 1911 — Page 571

CO

This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Governmen

OPIUM.

CONFIDENTIAL.

C

[7886]

No. 1.

569

3 APR

[March 3.]

SECTION 1.

Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received March 3.)

(No. 65.) (Telegraphic.) R.

YOUR telegram No. 40 of 1st March: Opium.

Peking, March 3, 1911.

My proposal that all existing stocks of uncertificated opium should be cleared off within six months did not include uncertificated opium which had passed into the interior from ports, but did include opium in bond and opium in treaty ports on which consolidated duty had been paid. It meant in effect that British subjects were to cease to deal in uncertificated opium from expiration of time limit, which was to be six months from date of signature of agreement.

What Chinese Government wish to make certain of is that total amount of opium of all kinds admitted into China in 1911 shall not exceed 30,600 chests.

Attitude of Chinese delegate is that question of opium exported before 1911 has nothing to do with China, and is matter for arrangement between Government of India and the opium merchants. Our treaty right to import this opium is not denied, but enforcement of that right is not considered compatible with desire to assist China. Chinese know that delay in negotiations strengthens their position and weakens Sir A. Hosie's reports show that in Szechuan, which produced nearly two-thirds of the whole supply of native opium poppy cultivation, has practically been suppressed, and their taxation arguments are immensely strengthened by to-day's Reuter message, which announces that Indian opium receipts for 1910-1911 were, owing to unprecedented prices realised, nearly 3,000,000l. over original estimate.

ours.

(Repeated to India.)

[1930 e-1]