CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909 — Page 301

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

CHINA TRADE.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[9254]

C.O. 16122

299

[March 10.]

Pack

Sep 13 MAY OF

No. 1.

SECTION 2.

Sir,

Sir C. Smith to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received March 10.)

Shanghae, February 2, 1909.

I HAVE the honour to report to you that the Opium Commission commenced its sittings on the 1st instant, after a formal opening by the Viceroy of Nanking, a copy of whose Address is annexed *

So soon as his Excellency had retired, Mr. Lin Yuk-lin, the Chief Chinese Com- missioner, proposed that Bishop Brent, the Chief American Commissioner, should be elected as President of the Commission. I seconded this proposal, and Bishop Brent took the chair.

The Commission agreed that it should be left to the President to decide who had been duly authorized to sit on the Commission, and Bishop Brent stated that, in his opinion, the names which had been communicated to the Government of the United States as those of Delegates who had been appointed by their respective Governments was a sufficient authority, and he read out the list of names, of which I inclose a copy.* This course got over a difficulty raised by the Japanese Commissioners that, inasmuch as it was a Commission that had been created, and not a Conference, no credentials were necessary. The German Commissioners also were not provided with any credentials. Two new Chinese members have since been nominated as Commissioners by the Wai-wu Pu.

Some formal business was transacted, and the Commission adjourned until the following day, when, after discussion of certain proposed rules and orders for the conduct of the business of the Commission, a further adjournment was made.

I arrived here on the 25th ultimo with Mr. Barnes and Mr. Clementi. Sir Alexander Hosie was already here. Mr. Brunynte and Mr. Laidlaw have also arrived here, and Mr. Mackenzie King has informed me by telegraph that he will be here on the 15th instant.

I have, &c. (Signed)

CECIL CLEMENTI SMITH,

* Not printed.

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