[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[1210]
No. 1.
[January 9.]
557
SECTION 1.
C O
2545
Sir,
Colonial Office to Foreign Office.--(Received January 9.) RPG 26 JAN 12J
Downing Street, January 8, 1912. WITH reference to your letter of the 30th December, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Harcourt to transmit to you the accompanying copy of telegraphic correspondence with the Governors of Ceylon, the Straits Settlements, and Hong Kong regarding the proposed opium convention drawn up by the international conference at The Hague.
2. It will be seen that the Governments of Ceylon and Hong Kong agree to adhere unconditionally; but that the Governor of the Straits Settlements, while seeing no objection to the signing of the convention, suggests that the reservation made by the British delegates in voting for article 7 of the draft convention should be enlarged to cover future arrangements for the distribution of opium in the Malay Peninsula and in the neighbouring protected States of North Borneo and Sarawak.
3. I am to observe that in the telegram, a copy of which was enclosed in your letter of the 21st December, the British delegates were instructed to make a statement in the sense of the third paragraph of the Colonial Office letter of the 18th December. That paragraph stated that Mr. Harcourt understood the resolution to imply that each Power should manufacture only such amount of prepared opium as is required for consumption in its own territories, including in that term colonies and protectorates.
4. The reservation actually made would appear to be based on the fourth paragraph of the letter from this Office of the 18th December. Mr. Harcourt is inclined to think that as the matter is one which is declared to be clearly a question of internal traffic, and therefore outside the scope of international arrangement, there is, perhaps, no actual necessity to amend the reservation as suggested by the governor; but be considers that in order to save any question arising horeafter, the British delegates, in signing the convention, should be instructed to repeat the reservation with the omission of the words "now in force," and the substitution of the words "within the British Empire" for the words "in the Malay Peninsula or elsewhere in His Majesty's dominions.'
5. Subject to the foregoing remarks, Mr. Harcourt agrees to the signature of the or, if convention by the delegates "on behalf of the British colonies in the Far East," preferred, "on behalf of Ceylon, the Straits Settlements, Hong Kong and Wei-hai Wei." It is not possible to authorise signature on behalf of all the British protectorates in the Far East, and it is preferable not to sign on behalf of any of them.
6. As regards other Crown colonies, they should be consulted in the ordinary way after the convention is concluded as to whether they wish to adhere to it, and the self-governing dominions will of course be similarly consulted, and the delegates cannot be authorised to sign on their behalf. It is understood, however, from Mr. Max Müller that it will probably meet requirements if the delegates can sign-so far as the colonial Empire is concerned--on behalf of the colonies in the Far East.
7. I am to take this opportunity to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 5th January.
I am, &c.
JOHN ANDERSON.
Enclosure 1 in No. 1.
Mr. Harcourt to the Governor of Hong Kong and the Officers administering the
(Telegraphic.)
Governments of Ceylon and the Straits Settlements.
Downing Street, January 3, 1912.
INTERNATIONAL conference has drawn up draft convention, of which the following are the principal provisions :-
[2340 i-1]