CO129-343 - Public Offices & Foreign Office - 1907 — Page 513

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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]

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CHINA TRADE.

{

CONFIDENTIAL.

[7481]

No. 1.

[March

REGE 5 APR 07,

SECTION

Sir,

Sir Edward Grey to Mr. Carter.

Foreign Office, March 14, 1907. I HAVE the honour to inform you that His Majesty's Government have considered the Momorandum communicated to me on the 11th ultimo, inquiring whether His Majesty's Government would prefer to join in an International Conference on the question of the production of opium in China, as well as of the import of foreign opium into that country, or to name Commissioners who would investigate the subject in concert with the Commissioners of certain other Towers.

I have the honour to say, in reply, that, in the opinion of His Majesty's Govern- ment, procedure by way of Commission would seem better adapted than a Conference for an investigation of the facts of the opium trade, and of the consequences of the opium habit, in the Far East. It is understood from the conversation which I had the honour of holding with Mr. Whitelaw Reid on the 17th October, 1906, that it was the wish of the Government of the United States that the facts should be carefully investigated in the Far East by a Commission, preliminary to any action which might be taken by the Powers jointly or severally. It is conceivable that a Conference, if convened, might find that the materials placed before it were insufficient for arriving at definite recommendations.

If, however, the other Powers consulted prefer procedure by way of a Conference, His Majesty's Government have no desire to press this view.

I am,

&c.

[2394 -1]

(Signed)

E. GREY.