This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL
[21628]
No. 1.
[June 23.]
611
SECTION 2.
Sir,
Colonial Office to Foreign Office.--(Received June 23.)
Downing Street, June 22, 1908.
I AM directed by the Earl of Crewe to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th ultimo, inclosing a copy of a note from the United States' Ambassador on the subject of the proposed Joint Opium Commission.
2. So far as this Department is concerned, the only territories whose circumstances would have to be considered in this connection are Ceylon, Hong Kong, and the Malay Peninsula. In Ceylon the question has been investigated by a Commission, and the Governor, with the approval of the Secretary of State, is now taking steps, in accordance with their recommendations, with the view of restricting the consumption of opium. The Report of the Commission, and the Governor's proposals upon it, will be found in the Blue Book C.4000 which has just been presented to Parliament. The matter has also formed the subject of inquiry by a Commission in the Straits Settlements and the Federated Malay States, and the Secretary of State is awaiting its report, which is expected to reach his hands in the autumn. As Sir E. Grey is aware, from the debate which took place in the House of Commons on the 6th ultimo, the Governor of Hong Kong has been informed that steps must be taken to close the opium divans, and Lord Crewe expects to be shortly in possession of the Governor's recommendations as to the procedure which should be adopted to give effect to this decision.
3. It is clear, therefore, that it is unnecessary for His Majesty's Government to be at the trouble and expense of a fresh investigation of facts which will already be familiar to them. But while, in Lord Crewe's opinion, His Majesty's Government would not require to appoint Commissioners for the purposes specified in the fourth paragraph of the note, he considers that it would be well to nominate representatives who would collate the information in the possession of His Majesty's Government, and would be ready to meet the other Commissioners when the latter had concluded their investigations, and to place the results at their disposal. The Secretary of State is not aware of any objection to the proposal that Shanghae should be the place of meeting.
4. The terms of the note make it clear that any conclusions which the Commissioners may reach can only be ad referendum, and that each country must decide for itself whether they are applicable to its own possessions.
5. I am to add that Lord Crewe would be glad to learn the views of the India Office on the note, which has doubtless been communicated to that Department also.
I am, &c.
(Signed) FRANCIS J. S. HOPWOOD.
[890 B]
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL
[21628]
No. 1.
[June 23.]
611
SECTION 2.
Sir,
Colonial Office to Foreign Office.--(Received June 23.)
Downing Street, June 22, 1908.
I AM directed by the Earl of Crewe to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th ultimo, inclosing a copy of a note from the United States' Ambassador on the subject of the proposed Joint Opium Commission.
2. So far as this Department is concerned, the only territories whose circumstances would have to be considered in this connection are Ceylon, Hong Kong, and the Malay Peninsula. In Ceylon the question has been investigated by a Commission, and the Governor, with the approval of the Secretary of State, is now taking steps, in accordance with their recommendations, with the view of restricting the consumption of opium. The Report of the Commission, and the Governor's proposals upon it, will be found in the Blue Book C. 4000 which has just been presented to Parliament. The matter has also formed the subject of inquiry by a Commission in the Straits Settlements and the Federated Malay States, and the Secretary of State is awaiting its As Sir E. Grey is aware report, which is expected to reach his hands in the autumn. from the debate which took place in the House of Commons on the 6th ultimo, the Governor of Hong Kong has been informed that steps must be taken to close the opium divans, and Lord Crewe expects to be shortly in possession of the Governor's recommendations as to the procedure which should be adopted to give effect to this decision.
3. It is clear, therefore, that it is unnecessary for His Majesty's Government to be at the trouble and expense of a fresh investigation of facts which will already be familiar to them. But while, in Lord Crewe's opinion, His Majesty's Government would not require to appoint Commissioners for the purposes specified in the fourth paragraph of the note, he considers that it would be well to nominate representatives who would collate the information in the possession of His Majesty's Government, and would be ready to meet the other Commissioners when the latter had concluded their investigations, and to place the results at their disposal. The Secretary of State is not aware of any objection to the proposal that Shanghae should be the place of meeting. 4. The terms of the note make it clear that any conclusions which the Com- missioners may reach can only be ad referendum, and that each country must decide for itself whether they are applicable to its own possessions.
5. I am to add that Lord Crewe would be glad to learn the views of the India Office on the note, which has doubtless been communicated to that Department also.
I am, &c.
(Signed) FRANCIS J. S. HOPWOOD.
[890 B]
A
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