305
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[40345]
No. 1.
43818
[November 18. 1908
SECTION 1.
Sir,
India Office to Foreign Office.-(Received November 18.)
India Office, November 18, 1908.
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for India in Council to acknowledge the receipt of the Foreign Office letter, dated the 10th instant, transmitting a note from the American Embassy, dated the 8th instant, on the subject of the scope of the investigation to be undertaken by the International Opium Commission on the opium trade and opium habit in the Far East.
In reply, I am to observe that though the note suggests that the proposals originally made by the American Government should be modified in the sense mentioned in the note, it is not clear how the instructions to the Commission as now modified will run.
The new clause is intended to take the place of the clause draft instructions suggested in Mr. Whitelaw Reid's note of the 8th May last.
The clause accepts the principle that the Commission should first investigate the facts regarding the production, commerce, use and disadvantages of opium in China and the Far East, and that findings on these facts, and as to the actual remedies required, must precede useful discussion of amendments needed in the opium regulations of outside countries. That being so, clauses 1 and 2 of the original draft seem to be no longer required.
I am to suggest that the American Government should be asked whether they concur that the instructions suggested in the present note of the American Ambassador may be taken as superseding the draft instructions numbered 1, 2, and 3 of the note of the 8th May last.
I am, &c.
[2020
& -1]
(Signed)
A. GODLEY.
305
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government..
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[40345]
No. 1.
43818
[November 18.1~ ·· 08
SECTION 1.
Sir,
India Office to Foreign Office.-(Received November 18.)
India Office, November 18, 1908.
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for India in Council to acknowledge the receipt of the Foreign Office letter, dated the 10th instant, transmitting a note from the American Embassy, dated the 8th instant, on the subject of the scope of the investigation to be undertaken by the International Opium Commission on the opium trade and opium habit in the Far East.
In reply, I am to observe that though the note suggests that the proposals originally made by the American Government should be modified in the sense mentioned in the note, it is not clear how the instructions to the Commission as now modified will run.
of the The new
It would seem that the new clause is intended to take the place of clause draft instructions suggested in Mr. Whitelaw Reid's note of the 8th May last.
clause accepts the principle that the Commission should first investigate the facts regarding the production, commerce, use and disadvantages of opium in China and the Far East, and that findings on these facts, and as to the actual remedies required, must precede useful discussion of amendments needed in the opium regulations of outside countries. That being so, clauses 1 and 2 of the original draft seem to be no longer required.
I am to suggest that the American Government should be asked whether they concur that the instructions suggested in the present note of the American Ambassador may be taken as superseding the draft instructions numbered 1, 2, and 3 of the note of the 8th May last.
I am, &c.
[2020
& -1]
(Signed)
A. GODLEY.
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