CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912 — Page 372

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15th of that month ordering the closing of all prepared opium shops on the 18th March, that his protests had been ineffectual, that all business was stopped, and that large quantities of opium sold remained undelivered. On the 21st March I addressed a memorandum to the Wai-wu Pu requesting that, as such arbitrary action had put a stop to the wholesale trade in Judian opium, the Foochow authorities be immediately instructed by telegram to cancel these proclamations and cease interfering with a trade legitimately conducted under treaty and agreement. On the 23rd March I received a reply that as the action of the Fukien authorities in closing the prepared opium shops was taken to a view to facilitate the suppression of opium smoking, it was impossible to comply with my request. On receipt of full information from His Majesty's consul at Foochow, I again addressed the Wai-chiao Pa pointing out while the opium agreement of last year entitles the Chinese Government to publish laws to suppress the smoking of opium and to regulate the retail trade in the drug in general it does not entitle provincial authorities to make laws to prohibit the retail trade, and I renewed my request that the Fukien authorities be instructed by telegraph to refrain I have the honour to enclose from exercising powers which they do not possess. copies of this correspondence.*

My appeal to the President, which deals with the restrictions in both Chekiang and Fukion, has not yet elicited a reply, and even he may find great difficulty at the present time in controlling the actions of the authorities in these two provinces which were little amenable under the old, and appeared to be still more recalcitrant under the new, régime.

I have, &c.

J. N. JORDAN.

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

368

C.0. 19041

OPIUM.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[22180]

No. 1.

20 JUNIS

[May 20.]

SECTION 3.

Question asked in the House of Commons, May 20, 1912.

Earl of Ronaldshay,--To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any reports showing that the production of opium is being carried on unchecked in certain provinces in China; and, if so, has he any information which he can give the House on the matter.

Answered by Mr. Aeland (for Sir Edward Grey).

Reports have been received that opium cultivation is proceeding in certain provinces of China, over which in the present circumstances the Chinese Government are unable to exercise any effective control. His Majesty's Government are, however, confident that with the full restoration of order the Chinese Government will take the necessary steps to ensure the enforcement of the suppression of the cultivation of opium throughout China.

[2502 u-3]

* Not printed.