[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
250
09216
{B]
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[41510]
No. 1.
2 DEC 09
[November 23.]
SECTION 1.
(No. 122.) Sir,
Sir Edward Grey to Mr. Russell.*
Foreign Office, November 23, 1909. I HAVE to inform you that the American Ambassador, under instructions from his Government, has approached me with a view to ascertaining whether His Majesty's Government would be prepared to take part in an international conference to be held at The Hague to conventionalise the resolutions adopted by the commission which was held at Shanghae in February last to investigate the opium trade and opium habit in the Far East.
Mr. Whitelaw Reid informed me that a similar enquiry was being addressed to the Governments of all the Powers who appointed delegates to the commission at Shanghae.
The matter is at present under consideration by His Majesty's Government. Some little time may, however, elapse before a reply can be returned to the proposal put forward by the United States Government, as it has been found necessary to ascertain the views of the Government of India as to the desirability or otherwise of taking part in a conference of the nature indicated.
In the meantime His Majesty's Government are [desirous of learning how the Government to which you are accredited regard the suggestion, and I should be glad if you would take the necessary steps to ascertain their views on the subject.
A copy of a letter from the India Office in regard to it is inclosed for your information.t
I am, &c.
E. GREY.
* Also to Sir F. Bertie, No. 466; Mr. Wyndham, No. 161; Sir A. Nicolson, No. 301; Sir G. Buchanan,
No. 103; Mr. Gaisford, No. 72, mutatis mutandis.
India Office, November 11, 1909.
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