The case with regard to the position of H.M.G. in the Easter Colonies is not an easy one to report on.
Opinions differ as to whether a Commissioner should be appointed to report whether a stop should be put to the traffic in the Colonies, as the matter is "sub judice" and therefore they ought not to be called upon to suppress the traffic. Hong Kong will almost certainly take this attitude.
On the other hand, it is held that the traffic is already proved to be evil, and stress is laid on the action taken to stop it, and the reasons for taking part in the proposed Commission are open to criticism.
It seems that the only solution is to tell the F.O. that a Commissioner is not needed to investigate the question de novo in the Eastern Colonies, but that any Commissioner appointed should be instructed to ascertain from the Colonial Governments what steps they propose to take, or have taken, to put a stop to the traffic.
In other words, the objects (1) and (2) mentioned in the note will be achieved, and object (3) will be met by studying the position in the Eastern Colonies, and making suggestions for the assistance of China.
We don't want to invite the opinion of foreign authorities on the matter, as this is what it comes to in practice. I confess I don't know what proposal 2 is coming to, differing as it does among the opinions on the traffic.
The 2nd point is that the action we have taken, and propose to take, renders the suggested action on our part unnecessary.
W. & S. T. 16679-0,000-10-7.