CO129-405 - Public Offices - 1913 — Page 334

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C.O.

[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government1024

OPIUM.

CONFIDENTIAL.

Reck 13 APR 13 [February 1.]

333

SECTION 2,

[4979]

No. I.

Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.(Received February 1.)

(No. 30.) (Telgraphic.)

Peking, February 1, 1913.

YOUR telegram No. 21 of 25th January: Opium.

The question of stocks has formed the subject of frequent discussions between myself and the Chinese Government. Yesterday the Minister for Foreign Affairs requested me to submit to you the following proposals:-

1. The British Government to undertake to import no more opium into China. 2. The Chinese Government to take over the existing stocks and establish opium monopoly on basis of the Japanese system in Formosa, which aims at gradual suppression under Government control.

If you agree to accept proposals in principle, the Foreign Minister would endeavour to

procure their acceptance by the National Council and proceed to arrange a detailed scheme.

Alternative solution, which is put forward by the foreign importers and supported by His Majesty's consul-general at Shanghai, is the suspension of all opium sales in India-certified and uncertified and unrestricted opening of non-China markets to Shanghai stocks, which would, it is estimated. be worked off in this way in about two years. The proposal amounts to the transfer of the practical monopoly of opium sales from the Government of India to foreign opium importers in China, and would probably not prove acceptable to Hong Kong, Singapore, and other Governments concerned.

(Sent to India.)

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