CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914 — Page 107

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

C. O.

6406

OPIUM.

REC 19 FEB 14

CONFIDENTIAL.

[February 2.]

SECTION 1.

[4688]

No. 1.

Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey. (Received February 2.)

(No. 20.) Sir,

Peking, January 17, 1914. I HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith copies of correspondence with the Wai-chiao Pu on the question of the proposed joint inspection of the provinces of Chekiang, Fukien, Kiangsi, Hupeh, and Honan under article 4 of the Opium Agreement of 1911, with a view to prohibiting the import of Indian opium into these provinces should they be found to have discontinued the cultivation of the poppy.

The most favourable months for inspecting these five provinces would be: Fukien, February to March; Chekiang, April; Kiangsi, March to April; Honan, April; Hupeh, April,

I have, &c.

J. N. JORDAN.

Enclosure 1 in No. 1.

Wai-chiao Pu to Sir J. Jordan.

(Translation,) Sir,

January 15, 1914. WITH reference to the proposal to prohibit the import of Indian opium into the provinces of Chekiang, Fukien, Kiangsi, Hupeh, and Honan, your Excellency has successively expressed your readiness in accordance with article 4 of the Opium Agreement of 1911 to arrange for a joint inspection of the conditions of opium cultiva- tion and importation in those provinces on the lines of that already carried out in Shantung, Anhui, and Hunan. In each case your Excellency's attitude was communi- cated to the province in question.

The commencement of spring is now at hand, and dates for the joint inspection should be fixed beforehand and the officials to be deputed for the work settled, in order that communications may be sent to the provinces concerned directing them to take action according to the scheme drawn up by us. I trust to receive a reply from your Excellency as to the contents of this note.

I avail, &c. (Seal of the Wai-chiao Pu.)

Enclosure 2 in No. 1.

Sir,

Sir J. Jordan to Wai-chiao Pu.

Peking, January 17, 1914. IN reply to your note of the 15th instant referring to the proposed joint inspection of the conditions of opium cultivation and importation in the five provinces of Chekiang, Fukien, Kiangsi, Hupeh, and Honan under article 4 of the 1911 Agreement, I have the honour to request your Excellency to depute an officer to confer with Mr. Wilton, the British Opium Commissioner, on the matter, and settle the dates of the joint inspections and other necessary details.

I avail, &e.

J. N. JORDAN.

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