CO129-405 - Public Offices - 1913 — Page 230

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Finally it was decided that Mr. Severn should put his proposals for the restriction of exported opium to 120 chests into writing, and that M. da Fonseca should submit them to his Government, it being clearly understood that the Government of Portugal or of Macao would be the sole judge of the question whether there was a legitimate demand as shown by the certificate system for more than 120 chests per annum. the receipt of his Government's reply another meeting would be held.

The meeting then adjourned.

[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government,]

On

OPIUM.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[4276]

No. J.

C.O.

REC?

5189

Am 13 FEB.3 [January 28.]

SECTION 1.

India Office to Foreign Office.—(Received January 28.)

Sir,

IN continuation of my letter of the 20th January, I am directed by the Secretary

India Office, January 27, 1913. of State for India in Council to forward, for the consideration of Sir Edward Grey, a copy of a telegram from the Government of India transmitting a telegram received from opium merchants at Indore. I am to state that his Lordship has sanctioned the proposal made by the Government of India in their telegram of the 30th December, copy of which was transmitted to you in my letter of the 31st December last, that Malwa opium not sold for China in 1913, up to the previously notified limit of 13,820 cheats for that year, will be purchased by the Government of India for excise purposes in India.

T am, &c.

Enclosure in No. 1.

T. W. HOLDERNESS.

Government of India to the Marquess of Crewe.

January 16, 1913.

(Telegraphic.)

FOLLOWING telegram received from opium merchants at Indore:- "Apprehension about fate of opium overstocked in China ports still unallayed. Attitude of China still unchanged. Many prohibitive measures against the sale of Indian opium in Chinese territory being enforced with increasing rigour; sale made penal, severe sentences awarded to dealers; sale consequently nil. Stoppage of auction sales alone cannot have permanent curative effect; this measure only stops further unloading, but does not provide clearance of article. We have submitted in our previous memorials China is not sincerely adhering to her treaty compact, but is indirectly aiming at ruin of Indian traders by winking at Anglo-Chinese agreement, and stopping sale of Indian opium in her towns and villages while conniving at opium cultivation in her provinces. Mild remonstrances, it is feared, will not carry weight. Government of India should protect legitimate interests of Indian traders and urge strongly upon Home Government to impress strongly upon Chinese statesmen that nothing but immediate abrogation of all preventive measures, open and covert, can be accepted as proving her good faith about fulfilling her treaty stipulations. Early reply requested earnestly by all of us distressed traders: extreme anxiety and consternation."

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