2
ever since her ports were open to Western trade, and to the recent legislation of all the British self-governing colonies, as well as to the reforming policy of China.
The only examples of legislation founded on any other principle are supplied by the British, French, Dutch and Portuguese administrations of their possessions and protectorates in the Far East (other than Ceylon and Wei-hai-wei), which are under strong temptation to raise revenue out of the vices and weaknesses of subject races.
3. This attitude on the part of Sir C. C. Smith was further shown by his calling upon the Chinese delegate, Mr. Tang Kuo-an, to state whether the position assumed by him on this question was in conformity with the instructions of his Government, a challenge which it is inconceivable that he would have addressed to a German or French delegate, and which therefore ignored the cardinal principle of international law that all nations, however weak as regards armed force, and however recently admitted to the society of nations, have an equal title to consideration. It must be remembered, too, that the object of this unworthy challenge was the distinguished Chinese diplomatist whose noble plea for his country's release from opium was heartily commended by the Bishops of London, Durham, Norwich, Birmingham, Liverpool, and Southwark, and many representatives of the Christian churches and missionary societies of Great Britain.
4. Finally, the board objects to the appointment because Sir C. C. Smith presented a report on the proceedings of the Commission purporting to be made on behalf of his fellow-delegates, but as to which they were not in fact consulted. This fact appeared to so great an authority on constitutional procedure as the late Right Honourable J. E. Ellis, a grave infraction of official duty, to which he was seriously disposed to call the attention of the House of Commons. The Board cannot but express its regret that His Majesty's Government should take so different a view of this irregularity, which had been brought to the notice of the Secretary for Foreign Affairs by Mr. Ellis, and on two occasions by Sir R. Laidlaw.
5. For these reasons the Board feels constrained earnestly to deprecate the appointment of Sir C. C. Smith.
(
£
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[47773]
No. 1.
Foreign Office to Home Office.
CO
434
JAN 12
[November 28,]
SECTION 1.
344
Sir,
Foreign Office, November 28, 1911. AS you are doubtless aware, His Majesty's Government, in replying to the invitation of the United States Government to attend a conference on the opium question, laid it down as a condition of their participation that the conference should thoroughly and completely deal with the question of restricting the manufacture, sale, and distribution of morphia and cocaine.
The British delegates are being instructed that this is a subject to which His Majesty's Government attach especial importance, in view of the spread of the morphia and cocaine habit in India, in China, and in other Eastern countries, and that as Indian and Chinese experience shows that legislation against the importation of morphia and cocaine cannot be made thoroughly effective owing to the ease with which it can be evaded in practice, it becomes desirable to secure co-operation on the part of the Governments concerned in the shape of control over the manufacture and distribution. They will therefore use their best efforts to obtain the assistance of the Governments represented at the conference to this end.
The British delegates, with a view to being in a position to lay before the conference some practical suggestions as to the method in which the desired control upon the trade in morphia and cocaine might be obtained, held a meeting at this Office with representatives of the Board of Trade and the Board of Customs and Excise, and the result of their deliberations is embodied in the enclosed minute containing suggestions for the guidance of the delegates on this question.
During the discussion it became apparent that there were points on which the delegates would require information and advice from the Home Office, and I am therefore directed by Secretary Sir Edward Grey to request that you will lay these suggestions before the Secretary of State for the Home Department and favour him with any remarks that Mr. McKenna may wish to offer thereon and any information that he thinks might prove of assistance to the British delegates.
I am especially to enquire whether the sale of morphia and cocaine to unauthorised persons is not already subject to restrictions, in accordance with suggestion 3.
As the Opium Conference opens at The Hague on the 1st December, Sir Edward Grey would be pleased to receive an early reply.
I am, &c.
F. A. CAMPBELL.
Enclosure in No. 1.
SUGGESTIONS adopted at a meeting held at the Foreign Office on November 27, 1911, as to the attitude to be adopted by the British delegates to the Opium Conference in regard to the regulation of the manufacture of and trade in morphia and cocaine.
AT this meeting were present:-
Sir Cecil Clementi Smith
Sir William Meyer
Mr. W. Max Müller
Mr. Stanley
Mr. Fountain
Delegates.
Board of Trade.
Mr. Cunningham, Customs.
1. That all manufacturers of and dealers in morphia and cocaine should be required to take out a licence. Persons manufacturing or dealing in the above articles without licence shall be liable to penalty.
[2272 ee-1]
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.