CO129-513-5 Coastal and river trade- prevention of smuggling and illicit trading 15-10-1928 - 14-12-1929 — Page 39

Copy

(F 3470/84/10)

COMAI DENTIAL

Sir,

FOREIGN OFFICE, S.W.1.

7th August, 1929.

39

With reference to Foreign Office letter No. F 3328/3328/

10 of the 11th July, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Henderson

to transmit herewith, to be laid before the Lords Commissioners

of the Admiralty, copy of a despatch from His Majesty's

Minister at Peking regarding the carriage of contraband by

British ships.

2. Mr. Henderson proposes, subject to the agreement of

the Lords Commissioners, to approve Sir M. Lampson's suggestion

that British shipping companies shall be officially notified

that, unless smuggling is effectively stopped, the principle

of immunity will have to be definitely abandoned and permission

accorded to the officers of certain Chinese preventive organi-

sations (and not solely the Maritime Customs as hitherto) to

board British vessels and search them for contraband. The

draft of a despatch to this effect is enclosed herein; Mr.

Henderson will be glad to learn whether Their Lordships concur

in its terms.

3.

A copy of this letter is being sent to the Board of

Trade and Home Office.

The Secretary

of the Admiralty.

I am etc.,

(Sgd) GEORGE MOUNSEY.