CO129-405 - Public Offices - 1913 — Page 363

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west. A missionary letter from Tengyueh, published in the Central China Post" of the 22nd January, reported that in December last soldiers had been sent to uproot the poppy growing in the mountain districts, and that probably but little sowing had taken place on the plains this season.

From Talifu, an English missionary writing to the same newspaper stated that great quantities had been grown last season, but that the military officials were determined in effective measures of suppression. A Reuter's Pacific service telegram of the 2nd February from Talifu stated that opium growers in the Mitu district, 30 miles south-east of Tali, were being severely punished and smokers penalised by the lose of portions of the ear.

Kueichou. The evidence of the "China Herald" correspondent, referred to in the Yüznan consular despatch of the 27th January, is confirmed by a missionary letter, dated the 23rd December, from Kueiyang, the provincial capital, to the "Central China Post" of the 10th January. The writer there reported that opium was being very largely cultivated in the district. To the north of Kueiyang there was a small amount along the main road, but a very great deal away from it. Reports from the west and south-west of the province showed much the same state of affairs, and the seed was being sown everywhere, Anti-opium proclamations had been issued. Another missionary correspondent from eastern Kueichou to the same newspaper stated that cultivation was now forbidden. The poppy had not entirely disappeared, but the area under cultivation was sensibly less than last season in the districts in the vicinity of the Hunan border.¦

I have, &c.

J. N. JORDAN.

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

OPIUM,

CONFIDENTIAL

[10148]

Sir,

No. 1.

C.Q.

12296

Reco [REGGER APR 13

SECTION 1.

Colonial Office to Foreign Office.--(Received March 4.)

Downing Street, March 3, 1913. I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Harcourt to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th February, and to request you to inform Secretary Sir Edward Grey that he concurs in the proposal to appoint Mr. Max Müller and Sir W. Collins, if they are available, as delegates to discuss the question of the ratification of the International Opium Convention.

2. As regards the effect of the non-adherence of certain countries, Mr. Harcourt is consulting the Governments of the self-governing Dominions and will request a telegraphic reply. The eastern colonies, on whose behalf the convention was signed by the British delegates, are not interested in the matter either as producers of raw opium or as manufacturers of cocaine, morphine, &c., and the non-acceptance of the convention by certain countries does not affect them, except in so far as it diminishes the protection froin the illicit importation of drugs. On the other hand, it is of the greatest importance to them that the importation of drugs should be regulated as far as possible; and from this point of view it is very desirable that the convention should be ratified, even if its effect is impaired by non-acceptance on the part of some countries.

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:

[2850 -1]

I am, &c. (For the Under-Secretary of State)

J. READ.