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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[10979]
C.O. 16122-
303
[March 22.]
SECTION 2.
2013 MAY 01
No. 1.
Sir,
Sir C. Smith to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received March 22.)
Shanghae, February 26, 1909. I HAVE the honour to report to you that the Opium Commission closed to-day after almost continuous sittings since the 1st February.
The Commission was engaged for the greater portion of the time in receiving und discussing the Reports which were submitted by the several delegations. Many inquiries were made to elucidate these Reports, which not unfrequently required that additional information should be obtained by telegraphic communications to our respective Governments.
So soon as the Reports (except one from Russia) had been dealt with, the Commission proceeded to consider the Resolutions which, presumably based on the Reports as amplified, the different delegations had laid on the table.
I inclose a copy of these Resolutions, to which are annexed the Resolutions as finally adopted. The whole proceedings of the Commission are being printed, and copics will in due course be forwarded to your Department.
On behalf of the British Commission I beg to request that our great appreciation of the valuable services rendered to us by Mr W. D. Barnes, of the Straits Settlement Service, and of Mr. C. Clementi, of the Hong Kong Service, may be specially brought under the notice of the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
CECIL CLEMENTI SMITH.
Inclosure in No. 1.
INTERNATIONAL OPIUM COMMISSION.
[Revised Copy.]
Resolutions of the American Delegates, based on a study of the Reports submitted by the various Delegations to the International Opium Commission at Shanghae.
THAT, whereas, the Reports submitted to the International Opium Commission by the delegations present, recognize that opium, its alkaloids, derivatives and preparations are, or should be, confined to legitimate medical practice :-
Be it resolved, therefore, that in the judgment of the International Opium Com- mission a uniform effort should be made by the countries represented at once or in the near future, to confine the use of opium, its alkaloids, derivatives, and prepara- tions to legitimate medical practice in their respective territories;
And be it further resolved that in the judgment of the International Opium Commission each Government represented is best able to determine for its own nationals, dependent or protected peoples, what shall be regarded as legitimate medical practice.
2. That, whereas, the Reports submitted to the International Opium Commission by the Delegations present recognize that, as the result of inadequate knowledge in the past of the baneful effects of the unguarded and indiscriminate use of opium, its alkaloids, derivatives and preparations, gave rise to certain revenue problems which depend upon the production, sale, and use of opium, its alkaloids, derivatives, and preparations;
And further, whereas, in the judgment of the International Opium Commission these revenue problems remain and will require a certain time for solution;
Be it resolved, therefore, that in the judgment of the International Opium Commission no Government should, as a matter of principle or necessity, continue to
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