CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911 — Page 283

[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]

OPIUM.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[27399]

No. 1.

280-

20484

[July 22.Res

SECTION 2.

AUG IT

Sir Edward Grey to Sir F. Bertie.*

(No. 299.) Sir,

Foreign Office, July 22, 1911. BY the terms of the opium agreement recently concluded between this country and China, the opium sold by India for export to China is to be ear-marked in future by the Indian Government, and China has the right to exclude all other opium not so

marked.

In order to avoid the danger of uncertified Indian opium finding its way into China, the Secretary of State for India is anxious, as your Excellency will observe from the enclosed letter,† to ascertain, with such accuracy as may be possible, the opium requirements of countries other than China, and to regulate the sales in proportion.

According to the information supplied by the Government of India, the number of chests of Indian opium sent to Indo-China during the past year was 1,015; but as these figures may not, as shown in the enclosed letter, be altogether reliable, I would be glad if you

would take the necessary steps to furnish me with the information desired by the Marquess of Crewe.

&c.

am,

E. GREY.

* Also to Sir A. Johnstone (No. 47), [2106 y-2]

† India Office, July 12 (27599),