CO129-437 - Public Offices - 1916 — Page 167

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

OPICM.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[38737]

No. 1.

[February 28.]

165

SECTION 1.

Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received February 28.)

(No. 35. Confidential.) Sir,

Peking, February 1, 1916,

IN continuation of my despatch No. 7 of the 6th ultimo on the subject of morphia in China, I have the honour to enclose copy of a despatch from His Majesty's consul-general at Shanghai, calling attention to the desirability of limiting the export of the drug from the United Kingdom in accordance with the legitimate needs of the Japanese and Far Eastern markets.

(Copy to Tokyo.)

Enclosure in No. 1.

I have, &c.

J. N. JORDAN,

(No. 22.) Sir,

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

Shanghai, January 21, 1916.

I HAVE the honour to invite your attention to the large quantities of morphia, which are now being imported into China from the United Kingdom, mainly through Japanese sources.

Two letters have come to my notice during the past week, in which attempts have been made to secure deliveries of considerable quantities of morphia from British and Allied firms. In one instance an order was proposed for 120 1-h, tins of muriate of In another morphia, to be delivered every ten days to an address in Oska, Japan. case an order was propose 1 for 500 oz, of cocaine hydro-chloride; and quotations were asked for a regular supply of 100 lb. a month of muriate of morphia, to be delivered in Dairen (Dalny); these orders have both been refused.

I understand that large supplies of morphia and cocaine were imported into China in the past by German firms, who obtained some at least of their supplies through a firm (believed to be Spiegelmann and Co. in Egypt.

The drugs were formerly distributed by German agents, who were touring the interior and conducting business in cotton, thread, dyes, and other articles, many of which were being handled on behalf of British firms. It is believed that large stocks are still held by German firms in Shanghai. The headquarters of the trade, however, has now passed to Japan, and a wholesale druggist (said to be Chobei Takata) of considerable financial standing is organising the work of distribution in China from Osaka in Japan. Some of the drugs are imported by him direct, other supplies to Dalay (Dairen), and some are smuggled into Shanghai.

go

I understand that the principal manufacturers of morphia and cocaine are resident in the United Kingdom, and that the chief market is in London. It would appear from the facts, which have come to my notice that exporters are permitted considerable latitude in regard to ultimate destination, and that a trade which is indefinitely more deleterious than the opium trade, is being allowed to grow up in China with the connivance of British. firms, and to the detriment of the British name.

I would suggest for your consideration that these facts be brought to the notice of the Board of Trade, and that steps be taken to estimate the legitimate needs of the Japanese and Far Eastern markets, and to impose some restrictions on the export of a drug of which the continued sale in China cannot fail to react unfavourably upon the health of the people and the good name of British firms.

I have, &c.

E. H. FRASER,

[2548 ee-1]