CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911 — Page 373

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

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OPIUM.

CONFIDENTIAL.

REC

370

со

27903

Rro

[August 25 AUG 11

SECTION 1.

[30763]

No. 1.

Foreign Office to India Office.*

Sir,

WITH reference to the letter from this Office of the 5th May, I am directed by

Foreign Office, August 9, 1911. Secretary Sir E. Grey to transmit to you, for any observations which the Marquess of Crewe may have to make, copy of a memorandum communicated by the German Ambassador, and of a note from the United States Ambassador, respecting the pro- posed Opium Conference.

Sir E. Grey proposes, subject to Lord Crewe's concurrence, to express to Count Metternich pleasure at learning that the German Government are collecting data in regard to the trade in morphia and cocaine, which His Majesty's Government are so anxious to see effectively dealt with by a conference, but that His Majesty's Govern- ment still consider that it would not advance matters much further if the conference were to meet without all the Powers concerned being in full possession of the necessary statistics and information, and that they would be glad to know at what date this information is likely to be forthcoming before agreeing to a definite date for the meeting of a conference.

A similar reply, as regards the views of His Majesty's Government, would be sent to Mr. Whitelaw Reid.

Sir E. Grey hopes, however, that it may be possible to say that the statistics with regard to the trade in morphia and cocaine in this country will be available by the 16th October, if those of the other Powers are ready by that date, and enquiry is accordingly being made on this point.

* Also to Colonial Office, mutatis mutandis.

I am, &c.

F. A. CAMPBELL.

+ Memorandum communicated by German Ambassador, July 28, 1911.

Mr. Whitelaw Reid, August 3, 1911.

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