بك
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
CHINA TRADE,
CONFIDENTIAL.
[5819]
No. 1.
440
9764 [March 1.]
SECO MAR 07)
Sir,
Foreign Office to India Office.
Foreign Office, March 1, 1907. I AM directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to transmit to you, to be laid before the Secretary of State for India, a copy of a note from the French Ambassador, inquiring the views of His Majesty's Government in regard to the measures proposed for the suppression of the use of opium in the Chinese Imperial Edict of the 20th September, 1906, as well as for the prohibition of the use of morphia.
Sir E. Grey proposes, if Mr. Secretary Morley concurs, to reply in the following terms in regard to the question of opium
"It is not possible for His Majesty's Government to express any definite opinion in regard to these proposals until they have ascertained the views of the Government of India, whom they are now consulting, but the matter is engaging their serious attention, and they will communicate with the French Government again as soon as a definite decision is arrived at,'
The Chinese Government had, prior to the receipt of these proposals, been informed that His Majesty's Government are ready to consider favourably any measures which are directed to the restriction of the use of native as well as of foreign opium.
I am to add that a similar inquiry, of which a copy is inclosed, has been received from the Italian Chargé d'Affaires, to which Sir E. Grey proposes to reply in
the same terms.
Inclosure in No. 1.
I am, &c.
(Signed) E. GORST.
Memorandum communicated by Count de Bosduri.
THE Italian Chargé d'Affaires presents his compliments to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and would feel greatly obliged if his Excellency would be so good as to inform him whether the Chinese Minister in London has approached the British Government on the question of the prohibition of the importation of opium into China and what answer has been given to such a communication.
20, Grosvenor Square, February 23, 1907.
* M. Cambon, February 18, 1907.
[2394 a-
-2]