This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
C.O.
# CHINA TRADE
## CONFIDENTIAL
[16120]
No. 1.
21665
[May 11
15 JUN 08,
SECTION 4
Sir,
Mr. Whitelaw Reid to Sir Edward Grey.~(Received May 11.)
American Embassy, London May 8, 1908.
WITH reference to Mr. Carter's note of the 26th February last and to previous correspondence on the subject of the opium trade in China, I am happy now to be able to state, on behalf of my Government, that the Governments concerned have agreed to an investigation of this question by a joint Commission.
In answer to my Government's inquiries, no Government has expressed any preference as to the date or place of the meeting of the Commissioners, although Shanghae has been mentioned as appropriate. Thus the Government of the United States find themselves invited to suggest such date and place, and believing that Shanghae will be found agreeable and convenient to the other Powers concerned venture to name that city as the place of meeting, and the 1st January, 1909, as the date.
The President will appoint as Commissioners not more than three persons familiar with the subject, and Congress will be asked to appropriate a sum of money not to exceed 20,000 dollars for the expenses of the Commission.
It is the idea of my Government that each Commission should proceed independently and immediately with the investigation of the opium question on behalf of their respective countries, with a view--
1. To devise means to limit the use of opium in the possessions of that country;
2. To ascertain the best means of suppressing the opium traffic, if such now exists, among their own nationals in the Far East;
3. To be in a position, when the various Commissions meet in Shanghae, to co-operate and offer, jointly or severally, definite suggestions of measures which their respective Governments may adopt for the gradual suppression of opium cultivation, traffic, and use within their Eastern possessions, and thus to assist China in her purpose of eradicating the evil from that Empire.
I may add, for your information, that the Government of Portugal have also accepted, in principle, participation in the investigation.
I have, &c.
(Signed) WHITELAW REID,
[2967 1-4]
690
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
C.O.
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[16120]
No. 1.
21665
[May 11
15 JUN 08,
SECTION 4
Sir,
Mr. Whitelaw Reid to Sir Edward Grey.~(Received May 11.)
American Embassy, London May 8, 1908. WITH reference to Mr. Carter's note of the 26th February last and to previous correspondence on the subject of the opium trade in China, I am happy now to be able to state, on behalf of my Government, that the Governments concerned have agreed to an investigation of this question by a joint Commission.
In answer to my Government's inquiries, no Government has expressed any preference as to the date or place of the meeting of the Commissioners, although Shanghae has been mentioned as appropriate. Thus the Government of the United States find themselves invited to suggest such date and place, and believing that Shanghae will be found agreeable and convenient to the other Powers concerned venture to name that city as the place of meeting, and the 1st January, 1909, as the date.
The President will appoint as Commissioners not more than three persons familiar with the subject, and Congress will be asked to appropriate a sum of money not to exceed 20,000 dollars for the expenses of the Commission.
It is the idea of my Government that each Commission should proceed independently and immediately with the investigation of the opium question on behalf of their respective countries, with a view--
1. To devise means to limit the use of opium in the possessions of that country; 2. To ascertain the best means of suppressing the opium traffic, if such now
exists, among their own nationals in the Far East;
3. To be in a position, when the various Commissions meet in Shanghae, to co-operate and offer, jointly or severally, definite suggestions of measures which their respective Governments may adopt for the gradual suppression of opium cultivation, traffic, and use within their Eastern possessions, and thus to assist China in her purpose of eradicating the evil from that Empire.
I may add, for your information, that the Government of Portugal have also accepted, in principle, participation in the investigation.
I have, &c. (Signed) WHITELAW REID,
[2967 1-4]
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