CO129-395 - Public Offices - 1912 — Page 416

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

0.

OPIUM.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[24525]

Yo. 1.

412

[June 8.1L 2

SECTION 2.

Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received June 8.)

(No. 128.)

Peking, June 8, 1912. (Telegraphic.) R. OPIUM. Situation at Shanghai undoubtedly most serious, and His Majesty's cousul- Merchants allege that they are general considers that a financial crash is imminent. obliged in self-defence to continue purchasing so long as Government of India sells. They urge suspension of sales as only remedy. I am not in a position to say how far their contention is justified, but piling up opium in Shanghai, for which there is no inarket, must lead to a catastrophie.

Obstructions are confined to Chekiang and Fukien, whose normal annual consump- tion is about 9,000 chests. I have exhausted every effort, but Central Government is evidently unable to enforce observance of treaty.

(Sent to India.)

[2519 h-2]