CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914 — Page 183

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

OPIUM.

(

CONFIDENTIAL.

[8393]

No. 1.

[February 25.]

SECTION 1.

Sir,

Colonial Office to Foreign Office.-(Received February 25.)

Downing Street, February 24, 1914.

I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, with reference to letter to the Colonial Office of the 12th February, 1914, copy of a despatch from the Governor of the Straits Settlements on the subject of the opium traffic of Kwangchauwan.

Enclosure in No. 1.

I am, &c.

JOHN ANDERSON.

180

(Confidential.)

Sir,

Governor of Straits Settlements to Mr. Harcourt.

Singapore, January 22, 1914. I HAVE the honour to inform you that there is reason to suspect that large quantities of opium are being shipped to Kwong Chau Wan, doubtless with a view to their being smuggled into China.

2. The annual requirements of Kwong Chau Wan were estimated (in a telegram addressed to you by the Governor of Hong Kong on the 1st August, 1911) at thirty-six chests a year.

3. On the 26th September, 1913, a Chinese named Leong Chak Sun, who said he was the opium farmer at Kwong Chau Wan, called on the Superintendent, Govern- ment Monopolies, with a view to the purchase of opium. He stated that the amount needed for local consumption was 100 chests a year, but admitted that in 1913 no less than 491 chests had been imported into Kwong Chau Wan. He said he did not know what became of the chests not needed for the place itself.

4. There is no direct communication with Kwong Chau Wan. Opium for that port is shipped to Haiphong for transhipment thence. From the official records of the Bengal Government and from his own record, the Superintendent, Government Monopolies, has traced the shipment of no less than 466 chests to Haiphong in 1913.

5. It is fairly evident that Kwong Chau Wan is replacing Macao as a base for smuggling uncertificated opium into China. It may be possible to limit this impor- tation by international agreement, but the only real check on opium smuggling is what I have always advocated the limitation of the sale of opium to Governments and the prevention of its passing into private hands.

I have, &c.

ARTHUR YOUNG.

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