It was also suggested that the procedure should be by way of Commission rather than by Conference. The other Powers having apparently concurred in this view, they all agreed to the procedure. Japan agreed, and China, after some hesitation, and after it had been explained that "after the method of investigation shall have been agreed on by the Commissioners, each Government shall itself make the investigation within its own territory", concurred.
It is not clear whether a Commission would be appointed on behalf of China, or whether China would conduct the investigation on its own. H.M.G. understood that this referred to the International Conference held in April 1907, where the question of the production of opium in China, as well as the import of foreign opinion into that country, was discussed.
The French Ambassador explained to the Chinese that the Commissioners should inquire in their respective possessions and then take counsel together. The F.O. asked for observations on Mr. Whitelaw Reid's proposals. The question is whether they will affect the Eastern Colonies. Steps are already being taken in Ceylon to suppress the traffic.
The Malay Peninsula has already been held to be a region where action is needed, and a report is expected in the Autumn. So far as the F.M.S. is concerned, a Special Commissioner has been appointed on their behalf.
There remains the question of Hong Kong, which the Governor of Hong Kong suggested should be visited by the British Commissioner. The Governor has already taken steps to close the dens, and the Colonial Government reserves to itself the right to act as it may see fit. The conclusions of the Commissioners will not be binding on Hong Kong.
A note from Whitelaw Reid dated May 8th (enclosed with this letter) makes the position clear. The difficulty is largely a financial problem for the Colonial Government to solve.
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Print 112991
125-25
7928.
Page 363
It was should be
also suggested that
by way Than by Conference.
The other Powers
having apparently
They all
were
concurred
The procedure.
of Commission
д
rather
then consulted. Japan
agreed.
}
China after some
hesitation, and after it had been explained
that
"
have
after the method of investigation shall
been agreed
on
by The Commissioners
each Government with itself make the investigation within
It is They agreed to
not clear
its own territory
whether
Da
No Commission
Fo
wher behalf of
would be
Since
im
a
note to
No
H.M. G understood that this
the
CAJC
French Ambassada
referred
to
ar
in April 1907, They International Conference
The welfast question of the production of Jim
China
well as
of the
import of foreign opinion into that country"
quite clear
But it is
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behalf
its
Commissioners
I together
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each you possessions, and
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4.5. Gov
Nat Ne
counsel
Fr they explained to the Chinese
each you will
112991
125-25
7928.
The F.O
ash for obous Reid's proposals
The questionn
Mr. Whitelaw
is Nam
hour will they effect the Eastern Colonies.
Now in Ceylen
#
steps
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The 5.5.
clear
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has already
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Special Commissioner
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1
which
Governa of
suggested that The British Commissioner should visit The Colony
has already
dus
steps
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to
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Desud
V
4. K.
брийт Тем question
Governor
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mas
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A
Than
it
nooi
wrote the deep.
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serious of thing
tertand
summarized "The
when he
quastion.
This
The position malay peninsula
Catherin Ceyla
action will
will have been taken towards The traffic before the
suppressing
gets
to wak
In Hong
Kong
112991
makes
Gout That
resewe
to itself
the right to act
and
it may see fit
and
" will
conclusions of No
The
be bound to accept the Commissioners.
note from the Whitelaw Reid of
May 8t (enclosure to this letter)
The position
clear.
Commission The difficulty
a
is largely financial
problem for the Colonial Government to
rather than fo
Solve
/
A
Commissi
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