[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
167
(Telegraphic.) P.
2
Enclosure 2 in No. 1.
Government of India to the Marquess of Crewe.
February 5, 1914. PLEASE refer to my telegram dated the 31st January from British Minister, Peking, We suggest, in continuation of our to Foreign Office which has been repeated to us. telegram of the 30th ultimo that if His Majesty's Government do not wish to press firmly for the fulfilment by China of present treaty obligations, the proposals of the Chinese Government to which Jordan refers in his telegram indicate an alternative basis of disenssion by which a solution that would not be materially detrimental to India may be brought about. In our view Jordan should be instructed by His Majesiy's Govern- ment to invite the submission by China of detailed proposals for taking over the stocks of opium, but that he should make clear to them that only when payment is made can stocks be delivered. If this precaution is not taken the probability will have to be met that China, having got possession of the stocks in advance of payment, would destroy them and attempt to repudiate her liabilities (see telegram dated the 16th January from Jordan to Foreign Office). Moreover it is China who should, in the first instance, that until the text of the proposals suggest rates of purchase. Our view is, moreover,
of Chinese Government has been received and discussed with us nothing further should be done, and that full treaty facilities for the disposal of the stocks must be given in the meantime. Further, no province at present open to opium must be closed unless the most convincing evidence is produced that importation and local production have censed and will not be begun again.
It seems to us that Jordan's alternative of saying that His Majesty's Government hope themselves to propose a solution masks the idea of getting the stocks taken over by India, and we are strongly opposed to it.
We have consulted Abrahams, who concurs.
OPIUM.
C
CONFIDENTIAL.
[5643]
Sir,
No. 1.
Foreign Office to India Office.
[February 16.]
SECTION 1.
Foreign Office, February 16, 1914. I AM directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to acknowledge the receipt of
your letter of the 6th instant, forwarding copies of two telegrams from the Government of India relating to the opium stocks in the Far East.
Sir E. Grey has already made known to the Secretary of State for India his views on Sir J. Jordan's maiu proposals, and he is not disposed for the moment to comment further upon them. He desires, however, to offer the following observations upon points raised in the telegrams from the Government of India.
With regard to the closing of the provinces under the terms of the 1911 Agreement, Sir J. Jordan has said that it may be regarded as certain that at least five will have to be added to the prohibition list this spring. It is on this assumption that his proposal has been made. His Majesty's Government cannot refuse their assent to the closing of these provinces if on examination evidence is forthcoming that production of opium has ceased there.
The Government of India suggest that the Chinese Government should be invited to make detailed proposals for taking over the stocks, and that it should be made clear to them at the same time that the stocks will only be delivered when payment is made. But the danger that His Majesty's Government would receive no payment for the stocks, which would of course be obviated by this suggestion, is not the only or even the principal objection to the Chinese proposals. It is chiefly on the ground that British prestige will suffer that Sir J. Jordan so strongly deprecates any attempt to make the Chinese Government share the expense of the arrangement which he has suggested, and he would obviously be still more strongly opposed to the acceptance of the Chinese proposals. Indications have been received from many sources of the injury which Great Britain has suffered in Chinese eyes on account of this question, and that, of all possible solutions, the acceptance of the Chinese proposal to purchase the stocks would have the most disastrous effect upon British interests in China, while it would undoubtedly meet with strong disfavour in this country.
I am, &c.
W. LANGLEY,
[2053 q-1]
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.