CO129-384 - Public Offices - 1911 — Page 551

[This Document is the Property of His Britanno Meforty's Common 548

[B]

OPIUM.

CONFIDENTIAL.

[34424]

No. 1.

CO

30841

21 SEP I

[September 5.]

SECTION 2.

Sir,

Sir Edward Grey to Baron Geriche.

Foreign Office, September 5, 1911. WITH reference to my note of the 19th ultimo, I have the honour to inform you that I learn from the United States Ambassador that his Government have suggested to the French, German, Japanese, and Portuguese Governments that they should directly inform the Netherlands Government of their readiness to take part in the proposed Opium Conference at a definite date before the end of this year.

As sufficient data are now available to render possible the discussion of the control of morphia and cocaine so far as the United Kingdom is concerned, I shall be glad if you will be good enough to inform the Netherlands Minister for Foreign Affairs that if, on learning definitely that the four Governments named will be able to comply with the proposals of His Majesty's Government concerning morphia and cocaine, the Netherlands Government desire to reconsider the view expressed in your note of the 15th ultimo, His Majesty's Government will themselves be prepared to take part in the conference at the date which may be agreed upon.

I have, &c.

[2182 e-2]

E. GREY.