This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[36083]
No. 1.
603
[November 1.]
SECTION 2.
Mr. Whitelaw Reid to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received November 1.)
Sir,
American Embassy, London, October 30, 1907.
WITH reference to your note of the 14th March last in reply to the Memorandum which I handed to you on the 11th February relating to the question of the production of opium in China, I have the honour to inclose herewith copies of correspondence setting forth the replies of the various Governments to the proposal of the United States to appoint a Commission to investigate this question.
It may be remembered that the initial inquiry instituted by my Government having elicited favourable responses, further instructions were then issued to the several American Diplomatic Representatives expressing the desire on the part of the United States to be informed whether the Governments concerned preferred to investigate the opium question by means of a Conference or through a Joint Commission.
In their replies all the Governments mentioned accepted the proposal in principle, and expressed a preference for a Joint Commission. In one instance the reservation was made that the inquiry should cover the production of opium in China as well as its importation, while several accepted the proposal only on condition of being assured of the co-operation of China. Assurances of the co-operation of China have been given in their reply to my Government, while their general policy in the matter is evidenced by the fact that Regulations for the gradual suppression of the production and consumption of opium in China and orders for their enforcement have been promulgated by the Chinese Government.
In sending to you the present inclosures, I am instructed to convey the expression of the sincere gratification of my Government at the acceptance in principle by His Majesty's Government of the Joint Opium Commission, as well as their appreciation of the friendly interest which they have shown in the contemplated effort to suppress the opium evil in the Far East.
I further venture to inquire whether or not His Majesty's Government find it convenient to suggest a place and time of meeting of the proposed Commission, it being suggested that the several Governments may prefer to await the selection of a place and date of meeting before proceeding to name Commissioners.
I have, &c. (Signed)
WHITELAW REID.
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
(Translation.)
Your Excellency,
Prince Ch'ing to Mr. Rockhill.
Foreign Office, Peking, July 23, 1907.
WITH regard to the proposal to appoint a Commission to investigate the opium question, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's note of the 15th instant, in which you explain clearly the meaning of the first and second paragraphs of your previous despatch. In the note under acknowledgment you also make the following statements :----
1. "As for the manner in which the investigation shall be conducted, the Commissioners themselves, after they shall have met together, must consider and decide upon such details, but none of the Governments represented will be bound to accept the conclusions of the Commissioners or to act upon their recommendations. Each Government will reserve to itself the right to act as it may see fit."
2. "All that is now asked is that China will consent to the general principle of a Joint Commission for the investigation of the opium question."
3. "I trust.... that I may be favoured at an early date with a reply assenting" to such general principle.
[1060]
:
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
.-..-
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[36083]
No. 1.
603
[November 1.]
SECTION 2.
Mr. Whitelaw Reid to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received November 1.)
Sir,
American Embassy, London, October 30, 1907. WITH reference to your note of the 14th March last in reply to the Memo- randum which I handed to you on the 11th February relating to the question of the production of opium in China, I have the honour to inclose herewith copies of correspondence setting forth the replies of the various Governments to the proposal of the United States to appoint a Commission to investigate this question.
It may be remembered that the initial inquiry instituted by my Government having elicited favourable responses, further instructions were then issued to the several American Diplomatic Representatives expressing the desire on the part of the United States to be informed whether the Governments concerned preferred to investigate the opium question by means of a Conference or through a Joint Commission.
In their replies all the Governments mentioned accepted the proposal in principle, and expressed a preference for a Joint Commission. In one instance the reservation was made that the inquiry should cover the production of opium in China as well as its importation, while several accepted the proposal only on condition of being assured of the co-operation of China. Assurances of the co-operation of China have been given in their reply to my Government, while their general policy in the matter is evidenced by the fact that Regulations for the gradual suppression of the production and consumption of opium in China and orders for their enforcement have been promulgated by the Chinese Government.
In sending to you the present inclosures, I am instructed to convey the expression of the sincere gratification of my Government at the acceptance in principle by His Majesty's Government of the Joint Opium Commission, as well as their appreciation of the friendly interest which they have shown in the contemplated effort to suppress the opium evil in the Far East.
further venture to inquire whether or not His Majesty's Government find it convenient to suggest a place and time of meeting of the proposed Commission, it being suggested that the several Governments may prefer to await the selection of a place and date of meeting before proceeding to name Commissioners.
I have, &c. (Signed)
WHITELAW REID.
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
(Translation.) Your Excellency,
Prince Ch'ing to Mr. Rockhill.
Foreign Office, Peking, July 23, 1907. WITH regard to the proposal to appoint a Commission to investigate the opium question, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's note of the 15th instant, in which you explain clearly the meaning of the first and second paragraphs of your previous despatch. In the note under acknowledgment you also make the following statements :----
1. "As for the manner in which the investigation shall be conducted, the Commissioners themselves, after they shall have met together, must consider and decide upon such details, but none of the Governments represented will be bound to accept the conclusions of the Commissioners or to act upon their recommendations Each Government will reserve to itself the right to act as it may see fit."
2. "All that is now asked is that China will consent to the general principle of a Joint Commission for the investigation of the opium question."
3. "I trust.... that I may be favoured at an early date with a reply assenting" to such general principle.
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