This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
277
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[10229]
No. 1.
[March 25.]
SECTION 2.
Sir,
Colonial Office to Foreign Office.-(Received March 25.)
Downing Street, March 24, 1908. WITH reference to previous correspondence regarding the opium traffic with China, I am directed by the Earl of Elgin to transmit to you, to be laid before Sir E. Grey, the inclosed copy of a Confidential despatch from the Governor of Hong Kong on the subject of the suggested International Commission or Conference to investigate this question.
2. Lord Elgin will be glad to receive any observations that Sir E. Grey may have to offer on this despatch.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
R. L. ANTROBUS.
(Confidential.) My Lord,
Inclosure in No. 1.
Governor Sir F. Lugard to the Earl of Elgin,
Hong Kong, January 31, 1908. I UNDERSTAND from a recent despatch from His Majesty's Minister at Peking that the Chinese Government has been asked to appoint a Representative to join the Commission or Conference, suggested by the Government of the United States, to investigate the opium question, and I gather that it is not unlikely that the Conference may be opened in the near future.
2. In these circumstances, I venture to suggest that it would be of advantage if, before joining the Conference, the British Representative were to visit Hong Kong, whose interests are seriously involved, in order to gain full and accurate information on those aspects of the question which touch the Colony.
3. In a further communication, inclosing copy of his despatch of the 8th January, 1908, to Sir Edward Grey, the question is dealt with whether the total annual export of opium from India should be reduced, or whether the import into China should be diminished. The adoption of the latter method would not, in my opinion, be so likely to injure the interests of this Colony, and I trust, therefore, it may receive your Lordship's support.
I have, &c. (Signed) F. D. LUGARD.
[2889 bb--2]
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This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]}
277
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[10229]
No. 1.
[March 25.]
SECTION 2.
Sir,
Colonial Office to Foreign Office.-(Received March 25.)
Downing Street, March 24, 1908. WITH reference to previous correspondence regarding the opium traffic with China, I am directed by the Earl of Elgin to transmit to you, to be laid before Sir E. Grey, the inclosed copy of a Confidential despatch from the Governor of Hong Kong on the subject of the suggested International Commission or Conference to investigate this question.
2. Lord Elgin will be glad to receive any observations that Sir E. Grey may have to offer on this despatch.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
R. L. ANTROBUS.
(Confidential.) My Lord,
Inclosure in No. 1.
Governor Sir F. Lugard to the Earl of Elgin,
Hong Kong, January 31, 1908. I UNDERSTAND from a recent despatch from His Majesty's Minister at Peking that the Chinese Government has been asked to appoint a Representative to join the Commission or Conference, suggested by the Government of the United States, to investigate the opium question, and I gather that it is not unlikely that the Conference may be opened in the near future.
2. In these circumstances, I venture to suggest that it would be of advantage if, before joining the Conference, the British Representative were to visit Hong Kong, whose interests are seriously involved, in order to gain full and accurate information on those aspects of the question which touch the Colony.
3. In a further communication, inclosing copy of his despatch of the 8th January, 1908, to Sir Edward Grey, the question is dealt with whether the total annual export of opium from India should be reduced, or whether the import into China should be diminished. The adoption of the latter method would not, in my opinion, be so likely to injure the interests of this Colony, and I trust, therefore, it may receive your Lordship's support.
I have, &c. (Signed) F. D. LUGARD.
[2889 bb--2]
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