CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911 — Page 53

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

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OPIUM.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[June 16.]

WS13 JUL

SECTION 1.

[22847]

No. 1.

(No. 196.) Sir,

Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.

Foreign Office, June 16, 1911. I HAVE received your despatch No. 181 of the 27th of April last enclosing copies of correspondence which has passed between His Majesty's consul-general at Shanghai and the Governor of Kiangsu in regard to a demand that opium importers in the interior should take out extra-treaty permits for Indian opium under heavy penalties.

The action taken by you in the matter, as shown in your note to Prince Ching of the 26th April, has my approval.

I have to observe, with reference to your despatch No. 167 of the 19th April, enclosing translations of anti-opium regulations issued for the province of Fukien, that the regulation No. 3 of those enclosed in Mr. Consul Werner's despatch to you of the 28th March lays down that opium may not be conveyed from an outport to the interior except under a transit pass obtained from the Anti-Opium Association, and that opium not so protected will be confiscated. If this regulation extends to sealed chests of opium passing into the interior under customs transit certificate, it would seem to impose restrictions on the wholesale trade; and that it has been so applied by the Fukien authorities seems to be clear from the incident of the seizure of thirteen chests of Indian opium in the Wing Ting district described in your despatch No. 177 of the 25th April.

I propose, however, before expressing any definite opinion in the matter, to await the receipt of the correspondence which passed between Mr. Consul Werner and the Viceroy, referred to in Enclosure 3 to your despatch No. 167 of the 19th April, and any further observations you may think fit to make.

[2066 q-1]

I am, &c.

E. GREY.