7
2
shipped there is intended to be smuggled into China or other Eastern countries, including the British colonies in the East. It is believed throughout the East that the highest officials in Macao are actively interested in, or at the best connive at, the illicit traffic in opium, and in these circumstances it is not to be expected that much good result will be effected by representations to the Portuguese authorities. It is therefore necessary to deal with the matter at the source, and Mr. Harcourt desires me to commend to the earnest attention of Lord Crewe the urgent necessity of taking all possible measures to restrict the amount of opium which may be shipped from India to Macao.
4. The convention which has recently been signed at The Hague pledges the contracting parties to take the necessary measures to prevent smuggling into Chinese territory and into their Far-Eastern colonies, and, though the convention has not yet been ratified, Mr. Harcourt would urge that it is incumbent upon the Government of India to act in accordance with its spirit and to take whatever steps they can to prevent the continuance of wholesale smuggling from Macao, having regard to the inaction of the Portuguese Government, with whom the direct responsibility rests.
A copy of this letter is being sent to the Foreign Office, and I am to enclose copy of the letter transmitting it, and asking what representations may be made to the Government of Portugal.
I am, &c.
(Telegraphic.) P.
Enclosure 2 in No. 1.
Governor of the Straits Settlements to Mr. Harcourt.
MY cypher telegram of 20th April
H. J. READ.
[Received June 4, 1912.]
I am informed that the second 200 chests to which I referred were shipped to Macao. It is reported that a further 500 chests are being purchased at the next auction. If these are being sent to Macao, the total number since 1st November, 1911, will be 1,535 chests.
(Secret.) Sir,
Enclosure 3 in No. 1.
Governor of the Straits Settlements to Mr. Harcourt.
Singapore, April 22, 1912. WITH reference to my cypher telegrams of the 12th and 20th April, I have the honour to inform you that on the 11th April I received information from the superintendent of Government Monopolies that 200 chests of opium had been purchased three weeks previously, and 200 chests two weeks previously, and that the Portuguese consul at Calcutta was arranging for their shipment to Macao.
2. I yesterday received information from the same source that the 200 chests referred to above were purchased from E. D. Sassoon and Co., and were actually shipped per steam-ship "Johanne on the 5th April in the name of the consul for Portugal, who received 15 rupees per chest on this shipment,
29
3. The superintendent of Government Monopolies is also informed that the Portuguese Government in Macao cabled to the Portuguese consul in Calcutta enquiring if opium could be shipped in whatever quantities Macao wanted, as it had been ascertained in Macao that the farmer could obtain only twenty-five chests monthly. The consul was informed by the Board of Revenue, Calcutta, that there was no restriction, and that they could ship as much as they liked. The Portuguese Government consequently wired to the consul in Calcutta to ship on their account per steam-ship "Johanne."
4. It is further reported that a purchase of 200 chests was made for Macao at the last auction, and it will be seen that the position is serious, and that it is very desirable in the interests of the colony and the Federated Malay States that an immediate aud urgent appeal be made to the Government of India towards securing a restriction on the export of opium to Macao.
I have, &c.
}
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[27507]
No. 1.
426
C. O.
2
[June 12.]
SECTION 16 JUL 12
Question asked in the House of Commons, June 12, 1912.
Sir J. R. Rees,-To ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that representations have been made by the leading opium merchants to the Governor-General in Council to the effect that the resumption of the culture of opium is unchecked in China; that in several of the most important of the provinces free and unrestricted cultivation of the poppy proceeds; that the present Chinese Government is evidently unable to secure the observance of treaties by its own provincial authorities; that Chinese merchants who have bought Indian opium are being obstructed by the provincial authorities at the instigation of the principal authorities and refuse to admit it, in defiance of existing treaties; and, if the answer be in the affirmative, what action is being taken in the interests of British trade and British-Indian taxpayers.
Answer by Mr. Montagu.
The Secretary of State is aware that a memorial to the effect stated has been presented by certain Indian opium merchants to the Government of India. Enquiry is being made into the facts, and the matter is engaging the attention of His Majesty's Government. His Majesty's Minister has already made, and will continue to make, representations to the Chinese Government against the obstructions placed in the way of trade in certificated Indian opium by the provincial authorities, but the difficulties of enforcing our rights under existing treaties are for the moment greatly increased by the fact mentioned by the honourable Member, that the provisional Government in China are unable to impose their will upon the provincial Governments.
[2519 m-3
-31
A. T. BRYANT.
2
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