CO129-383 - Public Offices - 1911 — Page 580

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prohibited, and has been, as far as this province is concerned, almost entirely suppressed. In one district this object was not attained without loss of life and the dispatch of troops to the spot. Within the last few days, at the instance of the association, the Viceroy at Foochow has memorialised the Throne to prohibit the import from other provinces of native opium.

The above tends to show that the authorities are thoroughly in earnest.

I do not think that any local protest on my part will result in the restitution of the drug, the only available procedure is to refer the whole question to head-quarters.

(Telegraphic.)

Enclosure 8 in No, 1.

I have, &c.

A. J. SUNDIUS.

Colonial Secretary, Hong Kong, to Consul Sundius.

REFERRING to my despatch of the 10th instructed magistrate to destroy opium and close shop.

can in the matters.

Hong Kong, March 4, 1911. February, taotai, Foochow, has Take what action you properly

(Translation.) (Telegraphic.)

Enclosure 9 in No. 1.

Ho Taotai to Consul Sundius.

2nd month, 5th day (March 5, 1911).

I HAVE received your telegram. As to the truth or otherwise (of the report you have heard) I have already ordered the Yung Ting magistrate to hold an immediate enquiry.

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Enclosure 12 in No. 1.

Sir J. Jordan to Prince Ch'ing.

Your Highness,

Peking, April 18, 1911. I HAVE the honour to address your Highness on the subject of the seizure of thirteen chests of Indian opium, respecting which I have received a despatch from His Majesty's consul at Amoy,

It,

appears that on the 19th January three chests Bengal opium and ten chests Malwa opium shipped from Hong Kong to Amoy were seized at the instance of the Opium Abolition Society in the district of Wing Ting, in the prefecture of Ting Chou in Fukhien. The opium had the usual customs transit certificate, duty and li-kin having been paid in Amoy. Moreover, the owner had trading licences. His name is Mr. Kong Shau Sun, of Messrs. Nam Mi Shop.

He

Mr. Consul Sundius has been in correspondence with the local authorities over this case for the last three mouths, but so far has been unable to obtain any redress. has, moreover, been informed that instructions have been issued to the magistrate to destroy the opium.

In bringing this case to the notice of your Highness, I need hardly dwell upon the illegality of the seizure of the thirteen chests under transit certificate, and I have the honour to request that your Highness will issue telegraphic instructions for the release of the opium thus seized and, in the event of its having been destroyed, that Highness will order compensation to be paid to the owner.

I avail, &e.

your

J. N. JORDAN,

Enclosure 10 in No. 1.

Commissioner of Foreign Affairs at Foochow to Consul Sundius.

(Translation.)

(Telegraphic.)

NAN MEI opium case.

I am in receipt of your note and telegram.

2nd month, 8th day (March 8, 1911).

As to what the circumstances are, I

must wait for the receipt of Ho Taotai's report on the case, when I will send you a further reply.

(Translation.) Dear Sir,

Enclosure 11 in No. 1.

Ho Taotai to Consul Sundius.

2nd month, 5th day (March 5, 1911).

I AM in receipt of your letter having reference to the request of Sassoon and Co. for the release of the opium seized by the Opium Abolition Society, the property of the Nan mei hong, and reminding me that you had already requested me to order its release without delay.

With regard to this matter, some time ago I instructed the magistrate to investigate and report telegraphically to the Commissioner of Foreign Affairs and Lu Taotai, director-in-chief of the Opium Suppression Bureau, for their decision. It cannot be long before some modus vivendi is arrived at.

Compliments.

(Card of Ho Taotai.)

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