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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Governm34965
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL,
[35630]
No. 1.
IREC
(REG: 25 OCT 09
[September 24.]
SECTION 1.
Sir,
Mr. Carter to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received September 24.)
American Embassy, London, September 23, 1909. I HAVE the honour to enclose herewith, for the information of His Majesty's Government, a copy of a circular instruction from the Department of State of the United States, dated the 1st September, relative to the International Opium Conference, which the Secretary of State has addressed to the diplomatic representatives of the United States accredited to the Governments which were represented at the Shanghae International Opium Commission.
In this instruction, after setting forth what, in the opinion of my Government, appear to be good and sufficient reasons, it is proposed that an international conference be held at a convenient date at The Hague or elsewhere composed of one or more delegates of each of the participating Powers, and that the delegates in question should be given full power to conventionalise the resolutions adopted at Shanghae so that they may be given international effect.
A tentative programme is suggested by the Government of the United States, based upon the resolutions and proceedings of the International Commission, which, it is thought, might properly serve as the basis at least for preliminary discussion, and a formal expression of opinion is invited, not merely upon the topics outlined, but an enumeration of other aspects of the opium problem, which may seem of peculiar importance to any participating nation.
If, therefore, the programme as outlined should meet with the approval of His Majesty's Government, it would, in the opinion of my Government, be highly serviceable that on some subsequent date, say before the 1st December next, the participating Governments should exchange their views, together with such recom- mendations and observations as may occur to them.
I am therefore instructed to request that a delegate or delegates be appointed by His Majesty's Government, furnished with full powers to negotiate and conclude an agreement provided that as a result of the inquiries of the Shanghac Commission His Majesty's Government may approve the idea of an International Conference for the suppression of the opium evil.
I have, &c.
J. R. CARTER.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Circular Instructions issued by United States Department of State respecting International Opium Conference.
To the diplomatic officers of the United States accredited to the Governments which were represented in the Shanghae International Opium Commission.
Gentlemen,
Department of State, Washington, September 1, 1909. THE Government of the United States has learned with satisfaction the results achieved by the International Opium Commission, which concluded its labours at Shanghae on the 26th February, 1909. In the opinion of the leaders of the anti- opium movement much has been accomplished by the commission; and by both the Government and people of the United States it is recognised that the results are largely due to the generous spirit in which the representatives of the Governments concerned approached the subject.
The Government of the United States appreciates the magnitude of the opium problem and the serious financial interests involved in the production of and trade in
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