CO129-405 - Public Offices - 1913 — Page 220

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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Gverfalent.]

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Personally, I feel it is too early to express an opinion as regards the result of the soldiers' visit, but many people here think that a fair amount will escape them, and will ultimately be reaped; and there are circumstances that would seem to bear this out, for I have visited several places after the soldiers were supposed to have been there, and I noticed some fields were untouched, and now, owing to the rebellion in Kueichow, I am afraid the Government will be too busy to give much time to opium affairs.

Speaking of this district, it is patent that the people do not want prohibition, and I have been cursed on the markets as being connected with "that country that is compelling China to give up the opium," and only a few months ago one of the authorities told me that what they wanted was that England should leave them alone to deal with the matter as they think best. I am inclined to think that if there was no treaty with England about the matter, China would never be able to deal successfully with it, as in this part, at all events, the only way they seem to be able to work up any enthusiasm on the subject is to appeal to the anti-foreign propensities of the people- so much so, that this place, which used to be the most friendly of all the occupied cities of this province, is fast becoming the most anti-foreign and unfriendly. I could write more on this subject, but that would be introducing another matter.

Speaking generally, one may say that the revolution has done an almost irreparable injury to the cause of opium prohibition. Hoping that a better day will soon clawn,

I remain, yours faithfully,

D. J. HARDING (China Inland Mission).

Kuhtsing-fü, Yunnan, December 6, 1912,

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OPIUM.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[2479]

No. 1.

Foreign Office to Messrs, Sassoon and Co.

Rr 13 FEB 3

[January 24.]

SECTION 1.

Gentlemen,

Foreign Office, January 24, 1913. I AM directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th instant, recording a telegram from Hong Kong to the effect that further restrictions are being placed on the Indian opium trade by the Chinese authorities, and enquiring whether any steps are possible in the near future to relieve the situation.

Sir E. Grey can only remind you that the efforts of His Majesty's Government have been unremitting throughout the past year to bring the Chinese Government to a sense of their treaty obligations and to enforce their observance by the Chinese provincial authorities, though unfortunately they have so far been unavailing.

As you are doubtless aware, the Indian Government have proposed to suspend the sales of opium from the 1st April next, but neither would it be practicable for the Indian Government to repurchase the stocks that have accumulated at the treaty ports, nor can there be any question of forcing the Chinese Government to take them over.

I am, &c.

W. LANGLEY,

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