CO129-426 - Public Offices - 1915 — Page 210

2

temporary merely." Evidence has been furnished in consular reports showing that the suppression in that province is being maintained, although large stocks of native opium are still concealed, some of which is being, I am informed, secretly shipped to Hong Kong. It appears to me very doubtful if the words "effectively suppressed" can be construed as bearing the interpretation placed upon them in the telegram, and in any case I anticipate strong opposition on the part of the Chinese Government to any attempt to read such a meaning in the wording of article 3 of the 1911 Opium Agreement. In my draft memorandum forming enclosure I in my despatch No. 138 of the 27th March, 1911, the word "permanently" was used in this connection, but, as shown in my later draft agreement, enclosure 3 of my despatch No. 179 of the 25th April, 1911, it was replaced by "effectively." I was fully sensible at the time of the difference this change caused in the meaning, but the course of negotiations left no other way open except to meet by compromise the insistence of the Chinese Government upon the deletion of the word "permanently."

As regards the investigation of the three provinces of Kiangsu, Kiangsi, and Kuangtung, which is likely to take place early next spring, it will be made as thorough as is possible over such large areas with their slow and tedious means of communication in the limited season when the poppy is in flower. I have instructed the consuls concerned on the subject, and shall be grateful for any suggestions the Government of India may be able to offer to secure the end in view. In view of the precedents established in previous investigations of the provinces, the Chinese Central Govern- ment as well as the Provincial Governments concerned will probably raise strong objectious to the delay involved by the procedure laid down in the concluding portion of your despatch No. 263. In accordance with the instructions contained therein, I shall submit reports on the state of cultivation in any provinces examined for the consideration of His Majesty's Government and the Government of India, but I would respectfully request that your decision may be conveyed by telegraph in order that the Chinese Government may receive as early intimation as possible. This, I need hardly point out, will be the more necessary if the present war continues, as it is not, I feel sure, the wish either of His Majesty's Government or of the Government of India to give the Chinese any handle of complaint which may be used to our disadvantage.

I have, &c.

J. N. JORDAN.

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

OPIUM.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[79799]

(No. 148. Confidential.) Sir,

No. 1.

Sir Edward Grey to Sir A. Johnstone.

206

4156

REC

Res: 27 JAN 15

[December 22.]

SECTION 1.

Foreign Office, December 22, 1914. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 333, Very Confidential, of the 4th instant, regarding the adherence of the Egyptian Government to the International Opium Convention.

In the circumstances created by the present international situation, the desirability of obtaining the signature of the Egyptian Government has became less urgent, and I should be glad if you would inform the Netherlands Minister for Foreign Affairs, in reply to his enquiry on the subject, that His Majesty's Government would prefer that the matter should stand over until the termination of hostilities.

[2320 y--1]

I am, &c.

E. GREY.

Enclosure in No. 1.

(No. 99.) Sir,

Sir J. Jordan to Consul-General Sir E. Fraser.

Peking, October 30, 1914. I HAVE received a despatch from His Majesty's Secretary of State informing me that it is the intention of His Majesty's Government, from such time as the three provinces of Kiangsu, Kiangsi, and Kuangtung are closed to Indian opium, and licences in the international settlement are discontinued, to have all stocks of Indian opium still undisposed of by the British importers strictly detained in bond until the owners have made arrangements, to be approved by the authorities, for the removal of such stocks altogether from Chinese territories.

You should convey a warning in the above sense to the British importers of opium,

I am, &c.

J. N. JORDAN.

Page 210Page 211