[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL
[31673]
No. 1.
Foreign Office to Colonial Office.
[August 14.]
SECTION 2.
Sir,
Foreign Office, August 14, 1911. I AM directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th instant, and to state, for the information of Mr. Secretary Harcourt, that he concurs in the proposal to inform the Governor of Hong Kong that the prohibition of the import of uncertified opium into that colony should, as suggested, take effect from the 1st September.
His Majesty's Minister at Peking was informed of this decision on the 10th instant, and was instructed in the sense suggested in the third paragraph of your letter. A telegram dated the 11th August has now been received from him enquiring whether the expression "uncertified opium," as used by Sir F. Lugard, is intended to cover opium of other than Indian origin.
Sir E. Grey would be glad to learn what reply should be returned to this enquiry. In the event of a reference to Sir F. Lugard being necessary, he would suggest that His Excellency should be instructed to telegraph direct to Sir J. Jordan, as well as to Mr. Harcourt.
Sir J. Jordan further states in his telegram that the Chinese Government have informed him unofficially of their intention to prohibit at an early date the import of prepared opium, and enquires whether he should suggest that this measure, and the prohibition of import into Hong Kong, should come into force simultaneously.
Subject to any observations by Mr. Harcourt or by the India Office (to which department the question is also being referred) Sir E. Grey proposes to instruct Sir J. Jordan to proceed as suggested.
I am, &c.
F. A. CAMPBELL.
[2155 O -2]
378
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.