CO129-396 - Public Offices - 1912 — Page 92

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The ideas and suggestions of this Directorate General

having been clearly and plainly expressed in the sense of

continuing sincerely and honestly to cooperate in the gra-

dual restriction of the opium traffic in Macao, at the same

time protecting as far as possible, within the bounds of

reason and justice, the important revenue accruing from the

monopoly, it hopes that the pritish Minister will not fail

to recognize the legitimate interest taken by us in the

defence of the interests of Macao, the more so when he can

have no doubt as to the reality of the endeavours which the

Colony of Hong kong has exerted and is exerting to guaran-

tee and defend its own interests. This Directorate Ge-

neral has also reason to believe that the interests of Ma-

cao do not clash with those of Hong kong, there being no

possible antagonism, either in this or any other question

of a commercial character, between the two neighbouring and

friendly Colonies, each one keeping within the bounds of

its own sphere of activity and resources, and though jeal-

ous of its its rights, fully conscious of its duties.

FRATERNAL SALUTATIONS (Signed) Freire d'Andrade, Direc-

tor eneral.

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