CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911 — Page 60

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

treasurer had notified the farmers of the tax that it should be collected on opium which had reached Canton before the 8th May, of which there was a considerable stock held there.

Although the new agreement stipulated that the removal of the provincial restrictions and taxation should take effect from the date of the collection of the new rate of consolidated duty, I made a special appeal to the Wai-wu Pu to construe the agreement in a sense favourable to the coutentions of the opium merchants, and I am glad to say that they eventually acceded to my request. Copies of the correspondence between myself and the Wai-wu Pu embodying this decision are enclosed herewith.

The opium merchants have already been informed by telegraph of the action taken on their representations, but I shall be grateful to your Excellency if you will cause the substance of this communication to be conveyed to them.

I have, &c.

J. N. JORDAN,

OPIUM.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[24011]

Sir,

со

23533

[June 19.]

R 18 JUL II

SECTION 2.

No. 1.

Messrs. E. D. Sassoon and Company to Foreign Office.--(Received June 19.)

9, Fenchurch Avenue, London, June 17, 1911. WE have to thank you for sending to us on 1st instant particulars of the Opium Agreement signed at Peking on 8th ultimo by His Majesty's Minister and the Wai-wu Pu.

We now learn from China that trouble has arisen in the Fokien province, for which Foochow is the port. A proclamation has been issued in Sha Hsein prohibiting the entry and sale of opium in that district, and drug in transit up river has been stopped at Shui K'ou, a distance of about 60 miles above Foochow. A similar prohibition is already being enforced at Hsing Hua.

This action on the part of the local authorities cannot surely be in keeping with the spirit of the recent agreement, for instead of the provincial restrictions as far as the Fokien province is concerned being removed, they are being made more stringent than heretofore.

May we urge that His Majesty's Minister at Peking may be instructed to press for the removal of these restrictions which completely block all outlet for stocks of opium at the treaty port of Foochow.

We have, &c.

E. D. SASSOON & CO.

0

[2066 t-2]

59

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