CO129-396 - Public Offices - 1912 — Page 72

No. 130

Confidential.

(37897)

Sir:-

C. O. 2011

(RESS: 25 SCP 10.

LISBON.

2nd September, 1912.

70

On receipt of your despatch No. 57 of the 15th

ultimo (33382), I addressed a note to the Portuguese

Government requesting an early answer to our previous

representations as to the import of opium into ¡ticao,

in view of the possibility of His Majesty's Covern-

ment being obliged to consider the restriction or

prohibition of exports from India to Macao.

I have the honour to transmit herewith the

official reply to the note in question, which merely

states that the reply of the Governor of Macau neces.

sitated further investigation and expresses a desire to

put an end to the opium traffic whilst protecting the

interests of Vacuo. Before receiving this answer

had, however, received a private note on this subject/

from the Director General of the Colonies, who is not

only capable and energetic but, I believe, very

anglophil in his sentiments. From this note, copy of

which I have the honour to transmit confidentially

herewith,

e Right Honourable

&C.,

&c.,

Sir Edward Grey, Bart., K.G.,

&c.

M.P.,