[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
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17 MAR 02
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[February 22.]
SECTION 2.
[6132]
No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received February 22, 1908.)
(No. 598.) Sir,
Peking, December 31, 1907. On the receipt of your despatch No. 461 of the 15th ultimo, in regard to the proposed Commission or Conference to investigate the opium question, I inquired at the American Legation how the matter now stood.
I was informed that copies of the replies which the American Government had received to their proposal from France, Japan, Holland, Germany, and Great Britain had been forwarded to the Chinese Government with a request that they would appoint a Commissioner, and, if they desired to do so, suggest a place for the meeting of the Representatives.
The intention of the Chinese Government appears to be to appoint Mr. Liu as their Representative. He is now on his way to Peking from South Africa, where he has occupied the post of Consul-General, and as soon as he reaches the capital and has been consulted, a definite reply will be sent to my American colleague.
Some surprise has been expressed here that Portugal, whose position at Macao associates her closely with the opium question, has not been invited to join the Commission.
I have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
[2842 y-2]