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by terms of congressional resolution under which they are acting from supporting proposal for Commission of Inquiry.
You should nevertheless bring it forward if they press their proposals for redraft of Article 8 of Hague Convention.
58188/24.
No. 56.
SIR M. DELEVINGNE (GENEVA) to MR. S. P. WATERLOW (FOREign Office). (Copy received in Colonial Office, 13th December, 1924.)
MY DEAR Waterlow,
[Answered by No. 57.]
British Delegation, Hotel Metropole, Geneva,
Switzerland, 6th December, 1924.
MANY thanks for your telegram of the 2nd instant* telling me that you have instructed our Ambassadors at Washington and Paris to approach the United States and French Governments in regard to the suggested Commission of Inquiry, if they think it desirable. Mr. Zahle, the President of the Second Conference, spoke to me to-day about the proposal of the American Delegation to bring up the question of the use of opium for smoking in the Far East, if they consider the results of the First Conference unsatisfactory. He told me, in strict confidence, that he does not intend to allow any discussion of the matter in the Second Conference, but that he will permit the American Delegation, if they wish to do so, at the end of the Conference (when the time comes to sign the Convention, if any, produced by the Second Conference), to make a declaration on the subject. I told him, also confidentially, that I had referred the matter home, and hoped I might be able, in the course of a few days, to tell him what my position would be if the matter is raised. If the Americans make a declaration in the manner indicated above, that would give me the opportunity of announcing the willingness of the British Government that a Commission of Inquiry should be appointed by the League. I think it will help the President, who finds himself in a position of great difficulty, if I let him know beforehand what line I propose to take on the matter, but I shall not tell him anything until I hear from you what replies have been received from Washington and Paris,
Mr. Zahle told me that he has informed Bishop Brent of the American Delegation of the course he proposes to take if the Americans raise the question.
What line do the Foreign Office and Colonial Office wish me to take if the Americans do not raise the question?
By the way,
I take it that the investigations of the Commission of Inquiry, if appointed, should extend to the Philippines as well as to the Far Eastern Possessions and Territories where smoking is still authorized? The Americans have got complete prohibition of the use of opium for smoking in the Philippines, but it is notorious, and I believe admitted, that, notwithstanding, a very large amount of opium is smuggled into the island for the purpose of smoking and the results of prohibition in the Philip- pines will be an important consideration for the Commission of Inquiry to take into
account.
I enclose a copy of the Convention which has been adopted by the First Con- ference. We sign on Saturday, the 13th.
Yours, &c.,
MALCOLM DELEVINGNE.
58188/24.
No. 57.
FOREIGN OFFICE to MR. LONDON (GENEVA).
(Sent 9 p.m., 9th December, 1924.) TELEGRAM.
(Copy received in Colonial Office, 13th December, 1924.)
No. 119. (R.) FOLLOWING for Delevingne :-
Your letter to Waterlow of the 6th December*: Attitude to be adopted towards American proposals at Opium Conference.
You should if necessary take extremely firm line on question of competence if American proposals for revision of Article 8 are brought up in any form. Principle involved transcends in importance immediate issues as regards opium smoking.
If Conférence nevertheless decides it is competent to consider American proposals, which will then presumably be carried by majority, you will of course not be able to
accede.
In any event you should bring forward proposals for Commission of Inquiry in such manner and at such moment as you think best. It should include Philippines.
58658/24.
No. 58.
SIR M. DELEVINGNE (GENEVA) to SECRETARY OF STATE (HOME OFFICE). (Dated 13th December, 1924.)
TELEGRAM.
(Copy received in Colonial Office, 16th December, 1924.) [Answered by No. 59.]
13TH DECEMBER. A Foreign Office telegram instructing me withhold signature of draft Convention received. Meeting for signature fixed for 3.30 this afternoon. Withholding signature will place me in a very embarrassing position and greatly weaken British position as regards American proposal. Will report fully by to-day's post but joint meeting of two Conferences seems open to serious objection and will produce no result. Think best course is for me to sign to-day leaving other questions for later decision. Shall be glad if you will telegraph me direct before three this afternoon saying whether I may or may not sign.
58658/24.
No. 59.
FOREIGN OFFICE to SIR M. DELEVINGNE (Geneva). (Sent 12.50 p.m., 13th December, 1924.) TELEGRAM.
(Copy received in Colonial Office, 10th December, 1924.) FOLLOWING from Home Secretary :-
Foreign Office telegram had my assent. You should make every endeavour to get signature postponed. If that is impossible you must base your inability to sign on fact that Foreign Secretary, who took part in Council meeting which suggested joint conference, will not be available for consultation until next week.
* No. 54.
* No. 56.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TREENIC.O. 882/11
سائن...
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
58837/24.
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