File No. 774/32.
Chargé Carter to the Secretary of State.
London,March 15, 1907.
(Mr. Carter informs Mr. Root, referring to his instructions No. 385 of the 31st of January, respecting opium trade in the Far East, that he has been informed by Sir Edward Grey that in the opinion of His Majesty’s Government procedure by way of commission would seem better ‘adapted to the investigation of facts than an international conference, on the ground that a conference might find materials placed before it insufficient for arriving at definite recommendations, but should other powers prefer a conference, His Majesty’s Government would not press their view. He also states that Sir Edward Grey will be asked in the House of Commons next Monday whether British Government has received a proposal from the United States Government for the appointment of a commission or conference respecting the opium traffic, and if so, whether he can give particulars of the proposal as well as the reply to His Majesty’s Government. [Page 150] Mr. Carter further states that Sir Edward Grey proposes to answer the question in the above-mentioned sense, and asks, if the department has any objection to the question being answered, to please advise him at once.’