CO129-394 - Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1912 [12] — Page 557

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

2545

OPIUM.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[28376]

No. 1.

REG? 26 JAN 12 [July 19.

546

SECTION 4.

Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received July 19.)

Peking, July 19, 1911.

(No. 162.) (Telegraphic.) P. OPIUM. (R.) Following telegram, dated 18th July, received from Governor of Hong Kong:- "Am desired by Hong Kong opium merchants to transmit following telegram to you :---

"Government of India July sale realised, certified average, 3,370; uncertified. 1,600 rupees. Strong incentive to smuggle into China. Uncertified large shipments expected here 23rd July. Urge Wai-wu Pu to use all efforts to prevent snuggling, as our large stock of certified, costing high price, seriously jeopardised.'" (End of R.)

I have to-day replied by telegraph as follows:-

"(Confidential.)

Your telegram of yesterday.

"As the native press is severely criticising the action of the Government of India as a direct encouragement to smuggling, I cannot well approach the Wai-wu Pu on the subject. A request for the limitation to the requirements of non-Chinese markets of the exports from India would be the retort of the Chinese Government.

"Without giving three months' notice the Government of India are apparently unable to discontinue sales, and, in these circumstances, the closing of Hong Kong to uncertificated opium, apart from the requirements of the opium farm, is the only remedy I can suggest."

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