The case with regard to the position of H.M.G. in the Easter Colonies is not an easy one to report on.
Opinions differ as to whether a Commissioner should be appointed to report whether a stop should be put to the traffic in the Colonies, as the matter is "sub judice" and therefore they ought not to be called upon to suppress the traffic. Hong Kong will almost certainly take this attitude.
On the other hand, it is held that the traffic is already proved to be evil, and stress is laid on the action taken to stop it, and the reasons for taking part in the proposed Commission are open to criticism.
It seems that the only solution is to tell the F.O. that a Commissioner is not needed to investigate the question de novo in the Eastern Colonies, but that any Commissioner appointed should be instructed to ascertain from the Colonial Governments what steps they propose to take, or have taken, to put a stop to the traffic.
In other words, the objects (1) and (2) mentioned in the note will be achieved, and object (3) will be met by studying the position in the Eastern Colonies, and making suggestions for the assistance of China.
We don't want to invite the opinion of foreign authorities on the matter, as this is what it comes to in practice. I confess I don't know what proposal 2 is coming to, differing as it does among the opinions on the traffic.
The 2nd point is that the action we have taken, and propose to take, renders the suggested action on our part unnecessary.
W. & S. T. 16679-0,000-10-7.
case
/
The
dusany with regard to
not an
the position of H.M.G.
Easter
Colonies is
easy is appanted to report
Opnim Evil
f
a
Commissioner
Ma
to report whether should not be put
stop to the Colonias
that
The matter
concerned will
is "sub judice
That Nerefore they ought
to
at once
anque
and
not
be called upon
to
suppress
The traffic
Họng trong
will
almost
Pris
attitride.
hand
it
held that
is
(5
already proved
to be
evil,
and stress
is laid
16
certainly take
the other
the druim traffic
the action taken to stop it, the reasons for behalf of the tastein Colomeitaly
5. taking part in the
propored
Coma
A Commission
in for criticism.
It
are
Seems
to
That
solution
8
The
riffintly with
The only be
to tell the
F.O
Not
19
nu
a
Commissioner
not
needed
Jimor to
*
not except
investigate the question de
Ra
Eastern
Colonies,
but that any
Cha
appointed
should
ве
mistructed
to
ascertain from the Col. Gov
ts ha
stepp
which they
propose to take
உ
have taken
spuim traffic ingent
W. & S. T. 16679-0,000-10-7.
to put
a
stop to Ra
graffion
In other words the objects (1) 6(2) mentioned
note
拳
#AR
dject (3) will be 53
)
in
M. Whitelaw Reid's not in point
13
far
having
#7
studied
the British Commissioners
the position in
the
Eastern Colonies
with
be able
/
to make suggestions for the assistance
of China.
ん
any
Eght 251
Едн
opinion we can't
We don't want
Brestler
M
then preserved.
Hr. Conde tu miristigate
a
the question in
any E. Chances. Then difficulties to
K HK L advise m
Further steps
be taken see
toe met
parthy administration &pacity
financial, and if they on the town at all
Cam
angle by communication between the Simple Howel Gedi.
Wank
་
Still less down
to invite the opinion of forrige hat
in wh.
ween t
Colomer - for this is what it comes
ཏོག་འཇན་
practice
I confess I don't know what proposal 2
Coming
Havel
4
duffering ane Gists, among..
the opprin traffic, if
27
betinals.
I 92d point at 8 Do. bit the actin
Wh. We have liten, &propore State, renders
the suggested
on porfl
Conde to for
action
8. Cobra
Dr.
concerned
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