F
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Govern 173
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[47329]
No. 1.
REGO 2 JAN 13,
[November 15.]
SECTION 2.
(No. 317.) Sir,
Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.
Foreign Office, November 15, 1912. IN your despatch No. 416 of the 15th ultimo you expressed the view that the action of the Canton authorities in refusing to grant smoker's licences after the 31st December next was a domestic matter and one with which you did not, therefore, see your way to interfere. In the Nanking case, however, which formed the subject of your despatch No. 420 of the 19th ultimo, the view was apparently held that the withholding of such licences by the local authorities amounted to an infringement of article 7 of the agreement of the 8th May, 1911, inasmuch as the regulations forbidding the grant of the licences had not been issued by the Central Government.
I now transmit to you herewith copy of a letter from Messrs. Sassoon, stating that a presidential order has been issued forbidding further smoking and ordering retail dealers to close their shops forthwith.
In Mr. Wilkinson's despatch of the 14th October, enclosed in your despatch No. 420, it was stated that the local authorities at Nanking had decided not to close opium shops compulsorily and to continue smokers' licences, and that this decision was probably given in consequence of orders from Peking. In these circumstances the facts as stated by Messrs. Sassoon are probably incorrect. But in the contrary event, I should be glad to learn whether in the case of smokers' licences you are of opinion that As regards the presidential order involves an infringement of the 1911 agreement. the closing of retail shops the order would appear to be a matter for protest. It is a somewhat delicate point how far the Central Government may go in repressing opium smoking without infringing the treaty provisions as regards "forcible measures." That some latitude must be allowed them seems to be clear, but you are in the best position to judge to what extent this latitude should be permitterl.
As regards the last paragraph of Messrs. Sassoons' letter, enquiry is being made of the India Office as to what reply should be returned.
* Messrs. Sassoon, November 6, 1912.
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