[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Govende
C. O.
5086 357
Peat FEC 09
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[4268]
No. 1.
[February 1.]
SECTION 1.
Sir,
Foreign Office to India Office.
Foreign Office, February 1, 1909. I AM directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to state, for the information of the Secretary of State for India, that the American Ambassador called at this Office on the 28th instant and spoke to Sir C. Hardinge in the sense of the Memorandum, copy of which is inclosed, on the subject of the forthcoming discussions by the International Opium Commission at Shanghae.
His Excellency was informed that His Majesty's Government were not aware that the Chinese Government had given any assurance that their arrangement with India concerning opium would not be discussed by the Chinese Commissioners, but that both the Chinese Government and the Government of India were perfectly satisfied with the manner in which the Agreement was working, and had no intention of modifying it at present.
Mr. Whitelaw Reid said that the United States' Government had no intention of attempting any modification, their sole desire being to possess the faculty of discussing the Agreement.
Sir E. Grey proposes, if Viscount Morley concurs, to state in reply to the Memorandum communicated by Mr. Whitelaw Reid that His Majesty's Government see no reason why the arrangement between China and India should not be brought to the cognizance of the Opium Commission as an instance of steps which have already been taken in regard to the opium question.
I am, &c. (Signed)
F. A. CAMPBELL.
Inclosure in No. 1,
Memorandum communicated by Mr. Whitelaw Reid.
THE Government of the United States has heard from Bishop Brent, its chief Representative in the approaching Opium Commission, of an assurance given by the Chinese Foreign Office to the British Minister that the arrangement with India con- cerning opium will not be discussed by the Chinese Commissioners. He considers that such a pledge, unless withdrawn, threatens to defeat the aim of the Commission and bind the hands of the Chinese delegation.
The United States believes the British Government is prepared to discuss fully and frankly all facts relating to the opium habit and trade in the Far East, and presumes, therefore, that Bishop Brent has misapprehended the significance of the Chinese communication to the British Minister, but would appreciate an assurance to that effect.
It is assumed that the British Government understands there has been no thought of questioning the binding nature of the present arrangement with India, and equally no thought of withdrawing it from the field of discussion by Chinese as well as all other Delegates in the Commission.
January 28, 1909.
[2144 a-1]