CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911 — Page 359

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OPIUM.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[16602]

Britannic Majesty's Governmern

355

16339

Rract8 MAY 11

[May 3.]

SECTION 1.

No. 1.

Telegrams to and from the Government of India.-(Received at Foreign Office, May 3.)

(1.)

The Government of India to Viscount Morley,

(Telegraphic.) P.

April 26, 1911. WITH reference to telegram from Jordan, dated 25th April. One correction is essential to render the agreement practicable. Reduction of our sales and of our exports to China during the year 1911 to the amount of one quarter of the opium not certified, in accordance with Jordan's draft, is impossible, as year is too far advanced. If necessary we can furnish full details by telegraph, but doubtless the reasons will be obvious. We would suggest that the agreement should stipulate for a reduction in our exports by one-third of the non-certified opium in each of the years 1912, 1913, and 1914.

(2.)

Viscount Morley to the Government of India.

(Telegraphic.) P.

India Office, April 27, 1911. WITH reference to Jordan's opium telegram, dated 25th April, Foreign Office confirms Jordan's view that prompt action is necessary, and think that the terms to which the Chinese Government have agreed are more favourable than could have been anticipated. Accordingly it has been decided that the terms should be accepted, and Jordan has been instructed by the Foreign Office to conclude the agreement. Ar the same time he has been requested to consider whether the amendment proposed in your telegram dated 26th April could be adopted. No intimation regarding the terms of the settlement should be made to the trade until you hear of the actual signature of the agreement.

You have, I understand, sold up to now 10,480 chests of certified Bengal opium out of the total fixed for 1911, namely, 15,440 chests. Apparently no further sales of certified opium can take place this year if the clause regarding the reduction in the number of chests of certified opium during the four years 1911 to 1914 is complied with.

(3.)

Viscount Morley to the Government of India.

(Telegraphic.) P.

India Office, April 27, 1911. WITH regard to your opium telegram dated 26th April, Jordan has been requested to do the best he can. Please refer to the telegram I have sent to-day. Foreign Office will send you the text of the instructions they have given him. I suggest, with regard to these, that no sale of opium should take place in May. I understand that since 1st January 10,480 chests of certified opium have been sold, leaving a balance of 4,960 chests. Such a balance should admit of a considerable reduction being made in the reports for 1911, and in order to meet the requirements of the Chinese it may be requisite to utilise thus the balance to its full extent. The reductions which are contemplated in the agreement described in the telegram from Jordan, dated 25th April, clearly refer not to uncertified but to certified opium. It cannot be expected that the Chinese will take into account uncertified opium.

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