This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
OPIUM.
CONFIDENTIAL.
3533
FOR 5 FES 12
571
January 11.]
SECTION 3.
[1700]
No. 1.
British Delegates to International Opium Conference to Sir Edward Grey. ---- (Received January 11.)
(Telegraphic.)
[By Post.]
The Hague, January 11, 1912. SEE "B" of Opium Conference drafts relating to ratification and adhesion. Our objection to this was that delay involved by getting adhesion of all outside Powers of Europe and America, and then waiting another year, would make it practically certain that no action would result without summoning fresh conference. We accordingly proposed amendments discriminating between action involved by convention requiring specific legislation and that which could be enforced administra- tively. In regard to latter, action was to be taken within six months of ratification by conference Powers, while date on which legislation should come into force would depend on agreement by the Powers and upon extent of outside adhesion: so if a fresh conference were necessary, it would be confined to this point only.
Germans now propose that adhesion should precede ratification, and that latter be contingent on adhesion by all outside Powers above specified. After ratification, a year's delay for convention coming into force. Adhesion and ratification to be for colonies and outside possessions also. But if no action taken within two years from signing of convention, a fresh conference would be called. Germans admit this proposal is unprecedented, but argue that some of the matters dealt with are of world-wide importance and cannot be embarked on by twelve Powers only. Also that ratification by Reichstag makes restrictive provisions of conference pro facto part of their law, so that Reichstag would not ratify without certainty of world-wide adhesion. We think objection which has been taken, that administrative action in one country is equivalent to legislation in another, renders pressing of our amendment undesirable, as against original draft German proposal has advantage of accelerating date at which agreement of outside Powers is sought," and, if you see no objection to novelty of its form, we might negotiate on that basis and endeavour to shorten "substantial" for period before which convention comes into force, and substitute "unanimous 11 adherence of outside Powers.
Please wire instructions as soon as possible, as progress held up for decision on this point.
[2340 1--3]
Their date is after signing of convention.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.