CO129-390 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1912 [5-6] — Page 407

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Saigon, June 18th., 1912.

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RECS 3 AUG 12/ I have the honour to inform you that I learn

from a private but well-informed source that Monsieur Malan, the

late Secretary-General of French Indo-China, (who has unfortunate-

-ly just died here) when on the visit which he paid to Yunnan last April, entered into negotiations with the Government of that Pro-

-vince with a view to arranging for the supply of Yunnan-grown opiy

to the French Protectorates of Tonkin and Annam. As you are doubt-

-less aware the cultivation of the opium poppy, which had been al-

-most entirely suppressed over a large portion of Yunnan if not

throughout the entire Province, has recommenced on a very con-

-siderable scale since the late revolution. Before that event the

amount of Yunnan opium imported into French Indo-China, which some

years ago was by far the greater portion of the total opium im-

-port, had been gradually falling off as the suppression of the

cultivation became effective and had been replaced by Indian Opium.

My information is that the Government of Yunnan is now willing to

encourage the cultivation and export for revenue purposes, as it

badly needs funds, and that the Indo-China Goverment is inclined

to help. The latter has already purchased a quantity of Yunnan

Opium during the last six months and for that reason only about

1,000 chests of Indian opium are required for the year. The Indian

opium is for Cochin-China; the Yunnanese, as I have said, for

Tonkin and Annam. During M. Malan's visit an attempt was apparent-

-ly made to enter into a contract for a regular supply; I am

informed that this has not yet been arranged but that it is hoped

that "with the good-will of the British Government* it may be.

In

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