CO129-396 - Public Offices - 1912 — Page 185

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

C.O

35263

RECE

REGE 7 NOV 12

OPIUM.

CONFIDENTIAL.

}

[40496]

No. 1.

[September 27.

SECTION 4.

Sir,

India Office to Foreign Office.-(Received September 27.)

India Office, September 26, 1912.

I AM directed by the Secretary of State for India in Council to forward a copy of a telegram from the Government of India, dated the 20th September, on the subject of alleged breaches of the Opium Agreement by the Chinese authorities in Anhui province and at Anking, and to request that, if Sir Edward Grey sees no objection, His Majesty's Minister may be instructed to address a strong representation to the Chinese Government on the subject. If the facts are as reported by Messrs. Sassoons, the least that can be demanded from the Chinese Government appears to be the immediate withdrawal of the proclamation issued in Anhui, and full compensation to the owners of the opium destroyed at Anking,

I am, &c.

LIONEL ABRAHAMS.

Enclosure in No. 1.

Government of India to the Marquess of Crewe,

(Telegraphic.)

September 20, 1912. SASSOONS and other opium merchants complain a proclamation has been issued by Anhui authorities prohibiting importation of Indian opium and to establish a monopoly sale of present stock in various provinces. Further, Anking officials are reported to have seized and destroyed seven chests of Malwa opium. These reports, if true, are clear breach of opium Agreement, and we recommend strong representation be made to Chinese Government. Opium market said to be demoralised.

(Repeated to Peking.)

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