CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910 — Page 586

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solution of social problems will be discredited, if the considerable measure of agreement reached at Shanghai is to be recklessly exaggerated to make it fit in with views which the Commission abstained from endorsing and to justify international pressure and interference which they never contemplated or implied; or if, where all were working to a common end, the facts are to be strained with the object of disparaging the activities of one of the co-operat- ing powers or of unduly emphasizing those of another.

21st July, 1910.

soy J. B. Brunzale

G. C. B. P., Simla.-No. 2541 Fin D.—21-7-10.-12-A, E. J.

Extract A.

Appendix I.

EXTRACTS FROM DR. WRIGHT'S REPORT.

(a) "Turning for a moment to the resolu- tious adopted by the International Commis- sion, it will be readily appreciated that, quite apart from their condemnation of the opium vice, they are of great importance in that Had they were passed unanimously. seriously opposing views in regard to the moral, economic, and other aspects of the opium problem developed, the commission might have had to issue a majority and minority report. As the American delega- tion stood for the principle of immediate and effective prohibition of the abuse of opium, it would probably have had to head the minority report. Had that been the event, the whole question would have been once more in the melting pot, where it had been thrown by nearly every national com- mission that had sat on it, and the way to further proposals for international action would have been blocked to the United States.

The international commission having unan- imously agreed that the opium vice must cease, it was open to our Government to pro- pose further international co-operation for the placing of the production and traffic in opium under international law." (Page 69).

(b) "Although no formal declaration was made as to further international action in regard to opium production, traffic, and misuse, it was nevertheless recognized that such action was necessary before the powers could congratulate themselves on having solved the problem that has loomed so large and so long in the Far East, causing war and other evil consequences not outstripped by the evil consequences of slavery.

The American delegation introduced a re- solution to the effect that further interna- tional action be advised. But as there was a feeling on the part of some of the delega- tions that this was carrying advice too far and might lead to separate and confusing proposals, it was withdrawn. It had serv ed to develop the fact that the other Govern- ments would look to the United States for further proposals for international action to control the production, trade in and abuse of opium.

Looking broadly at the results achieved by the International Opium Commission, and considering that the United States has now proposed an international conference, this time with full powers to conventionalize the Shanghai resolutions and minor questions rising from them. * *" (Pages 70-71),

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