CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911 — Page 496

F

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

OPIUM.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[32551]

No. 1.

CO 30132

Rece [Augu 15 SEP 1

SECTION 1,

493

Sir,

India Office to Foreign Office.--(Received August 18.)

India Office, August 17, 1911.

I AM directed by the Secretary of State for India in Council to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated the 28th July, 1911, relative to the restrictions imposed by the authorities in the province of Fukien on the trade in opium, also of your subsequent letter dated the 2nd August, 1911, enclosing a copy of Sir J. Jordan's despatch No. 285 of the 12th July.

As Sir John Jordan has explained that on further consideration he took the same view as Mr. Consul Werner as to the irregularity of the Fukien regulations, and addressed a protest against them to the Chinese Imperial Government, the Marquess of Crewe agrees that no further instructions on the point are necessary.

With reference to the last paragraph of Mr. Consul Werner's letter No. 13 dated the 30th June, 1911, stating that he would report again as soon as the effects of the Viceroy's promised action could be ascertained, I am to suggest that Sir John Jordan should be asked by telegraph whether the Viceroy has effectively carried out the instructions of the Wai-wu Pu, and is observing the terms of the agreement of the 8th May,

I am to invite attention to the case of Mossrs. Pettigura and Melita inentioned by

· Mr. Consul Werner in his letters No. 10 of the 16th June and No. 13 of the 30th June, and to his opinion that they have a just claim for compensation against the local authorities in that they have been ruined, not from any fault of their own, but through unfair obstacles placed in the way of their legitimate business. The Marquess of Crewe is disposed to think that their claim might be supported within reasonable limits, not only because the case is a hard one, but also as a practical reminder to the local authorities.

I am to add that, in the Marquess of Crewe's opinion, Mr. Consul Werner appears to have acted throughout in a very sensible aud judicious manner, and to have materially contributed to bring about the more satisfactory state of affairs which is now reported.

I am, &c.

EDWIN S. MONTAGU,

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