CO129-353 - Public Offices - 1908 — Page 617

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This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]

CHINA TRADE.

613

[June 24.]

SECTION 1.

CONFIDENTIAL,

[21728]

(No. 258.)

No. 1.

Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received June 24.)

Peking, June 5, 1908. Sir,

WITH reference to my despatch No. 598 of the 31st December regarding the Opium Commission proposed by the American Government, I have the honour to inclose copy of a Memorandum which has been communicated to me privately by Mr. Rockhill, setting forth the views and wishes of the Department of State on this question.

Besides the Chief Commissioner, Mr. Liu, whose appointment was mentioned in my previous despatch, I understand that China has appointed Mr. Chung Wen-yao and Dr. Kuan Ching-hsien as her Representatives.

Of these the former was educated in America and is now Managing Director of the Shanghae-Nanking Railway, while the latter received his medical training under Dr. Mackenzie, of the Peiyang University at Tien-tsin.

My American colleague is quite satisfied with this selection of Chinese Represen- tatives, though, by some observers, the absence of any official of high standing from the list is taken to indicate that the Chinese Government does not attach sufficient importance to the Commission.

I understand, however, from Mr. Rockhill that a Chinese Representative of high standing may be appointed later on, and that the present Commission has been selected for the practical qualifications of its members.

Inclosure in No. 1.

I have, &c. (Signed) J. N. JORDAN.

Memorandum by American Minister.

THIS Legation has received instructions from the Secretary of State at Washing- ton to the effect that the Government of the United States is now able to state that the Powers concerned have agreed to an investigation, by a Joint Commission, of the opium question in the Far East.

In answer to inquiries from my Government to the Governments concerned, no preference was expressed as to the date or place of the meeting of the Commissioners, although Shanghae was mentioned as appropriate. The Government of the United States therefore finds itself invited to suggest the date and place of meeting of the Commission. It names Shanghae and the 1st January, 1909, believing that this will be found agreeable and convenient to the other Powers concerned. The President will appoint as Commissioners not more than three persons familiar with the subject.

My Government's idea is that each Government's Commission should proceed independently and immediately with the investigation of the question on behalf of its respective country, with the following objects in 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 the nationals of that Government in the Far East.

3. To be in a position so that when the Commission meets in Shanghae the Representatives of the various Powers may be prepared to co-operate and to offer jointly or severally definite suggestions of measures which their respective Govern- ments may adopt looking to the gradual suppression of opium cultivation, traffic, and use within their Eastern possessions, thus assisting China in her purpose of eradicating the evil in the Empire.

The Government of Portugal has also accepted in principle participation in the investigation.

May 12, 1908.

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