CO129-416 - Public Offices - 1914 — Page 461

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

C.O

16765

OPIUM.

RECO

REG 8 MAY 14

[April 2.]

CONFIDENTIAL.

SECTION 1.

[14026]

No. 1.

Sir Edward Grey to Viscount Kitchener.

(No. 91.) My Lord,

Foreign Office, April 2, 1914. SINCE the receipt of your telegram No. 12 of the 1st ultimo I have been in communication with the Board of Trade and the Secretary of State for ludia on the subject of the possible adherence of the Egyptian Government to the International Opium Convention of 1912. Copy of the correspondence is enclosed herewith.*

In view of the importance attaching to the adherence of Egypt to the convention, and the possibility that some time may elapse before a decision can be taken on the hashish question, it is, in my opinion, desirable that the two matters should be treated separately.

I request, therefore, that you will give the matter your early consideration, and that, if

you see no objection, you will take such steps as may be necessary to secure the adherence of the Egyptian Government as soon as possible.

Should it not be possible for them to adhere as regards raw opium, you should endeavour to persuade them to do so at any rate so far as the convention relates to the alkaloids of opium, cocaine, and similar drugs.

I am,

&c.

E. GREY.

• To India Office and Board of Trade, March 13; Board of Trade, March 16; and India Office, March 28, 1914.

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