CO129-445 - Public Offices - 1917 — Page 360

[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.] 356

C.O

58546

OPIUM.

[October 18.1

REC

CONFIDENTIAL.

Ree! 29 NOV 17.

BECTION 1.

[198136]

(No. 105.) Sir,

No. 1.

Mr. Balfour to Sir J. Jordan,

Foreign Office, October 18, 1917. I HAVE received Mr. Alston's despatch No. 224 of the 24th July and previous correspondence on the subject of the Opium Combine Agreement, and I approve his action in the matter.

The terms of Mr. Alston's note of the 26th June to the Wai-chiao Pu in regard to the closing of the ports of Canton and Shanghai to the import of Indian opium also has my approval.

Until a satisfactory assurance has been obtained from the Chinese Government in regard to their obligations under the Agreement of 1911, you should withhold the consent of His Majesty's Government to the closing of the provinces which have just been inspected.

I am, &c.

[2741)

-1}

A. J. BALFOUR.

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