CO129-470 - Public Offices - 1921 — Page 299

1

487/266/10).

297

Anglo-iortuguese Agreement of June 14th, 1918, for the

regulation of Opium Monopolies in Hongkong and Macao.

El &

42. File $1912.

32/421/

61,69834,

421/

1. Shortly after the conclusion of the Anglo-Chinese Opium

Agreement of May, 1911, it became evidont that extensive

amuggling of opium was taking place between Macao and China.

Action was thereupon taken by the Colonial office to prohibit

the export of uncertified opium from Singapore to Macao, and

an Order in Council was issued prohibiting such export as and

from Maron 1, 1912.

2. It was discovered, however, when Singapore had thus been

closed as a market for the purchase of opium for Magno, that

large quantities of oğlum were being purchased in Indie for

direct shipment from Calcutta to Kaoso. On April 16, 1912,

the Colonial Office drew attention to this traffic from

India, and suggested that representations should be made to

the Fortuguese Government on the subject. After consulting

the India Office, instructions were given to His Majesty's

minister at Lisbon on June 26 to urge the fortuguese Govern-

ment to limit the importe of opium into Macao to meet the

notual requirements of the Colony, including the amount

needed for re-export to Hexico.

3. Delay occurred in the preparation of the lortuguese reply

to the British representations, pending reference to the

Fortuguese Governor of Magno; but, meanwhile, certain infor-

mation and suggestions relative to the Magno opium traffic

were communicated to His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at

Lisbon by Col. Preire d'Andrade, and were referred to the

India/