File No. 774/37–39.
Chargé Carter to
the Secretary of State.
American Embassy,
London,March 15,
1907.
No. 335.]
Sir: With reference to your instruction No. 385
of the 31st of January last (File No. 774), respecting a general and
impartial investigation of the scientific and material conditions of the
opium trade and the opium habit in the Far East, I have the honor to
inclose herewith a copy of a note from Sir Edward Grey, dated the 14th
instant, in reply to a memorandum presented to the foreign office by Mr.
Reid on the 11th ultimo, a copy of which is also inclosed.
It will be seen that, in the opinion of His Majesty’s Government,
procedure by way of commission would seem better adapted to the
investigation of the facts of the opium trade and the consequence of the
opium habit in the Far East than an international conference to that
end, on the ground that a conference, if convened, might find that the
materials placed before it were insufficient for arriving at definite
recommendations.
Sir Edward Grey, however, further states, in the note in question, that
His Majesty’s Government have no desire to press this view should the
other powers consulted prefer procedure by way of a conference.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Chargé Carter
to the Minister for Foreign
Affairs.
American Embassy,
London,February 11,
1907.
memorandum.
Great Britain advised the United States, in Sir Edward Grey’s letter
of November 22, 1906,a that His Majesty’s Government was willing
to take part in a joint commission or joint investigation of the
opium trade and the opium habit in the Far East by the United
States, Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, Germany, China, and
Japan if the other powers agreed, and if, as regards China, the
inquiry extended to the production of opium in China as well as to
the import of foreign opium.
Since then the United States has received a similar favorable
response from the Government of Japan; the cooperation of China
seems also assured by the imperial rescript of November 21,
1906.
The United States is now inquiring from France, Germany, and the
Netherlands whether they would be willing to join in a conference on
the opium question, or whether, if deemed more convenient and
practical, they would be prepared to name commissioners, who would
concert with like commissioners [Page 151] of the other powers named, to investigate the
subject. In the latter case either a joint recommendation of the
powers would be expected, or, in case of divergence of opinions, a
statement to each government for its consideration, with a view
ultimately to united action or to coincident action by each
government in its own sphere.
The United States would be glad to learn which of the two courses
above suggested would seem to His Majesty’s Government the more
convenient and acceptable.
[Inclosure 2.]
The Minister for Foreign
Affairs to Chargé Carter.
Foreign Office,
London,March 14,
1907.
No. 7471.]
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that
His Majesty’s Government have considered the memorandum communicated
to me on the 11th ultimo, inquiring whether His Majesty’s Government
would prefer to join in an international conference on the question
of the production of opium in China as well as of the import of
foreign opium into that country, or to name commissioners who would
investigate the subject in concert with the commissioners of certain
other powers.
I have the honor to say in reply that, in the opinion of His
Majesty’s Government, procedure by way of commission would seem
better adapted than a conference for an investigation of the facts
of the opium trade and of the consequences of the opium habit in the
Far East. It is understood, from the conversation which I had the
honor of holding with Mr. Whitelaw Reid on October 17 last, that it
was the wish of the Government of the United States that the facts
should be carefully investigated in the Far East by a commission
preliminary to any action which might be taken by the powers jointly
or severally. It is conceivable that a conference, if convened,
might find that the materials placed before it were insufficient for
arriving at definite recommendations.
If, however, the other powers consulted prefer procedure by way of a
conference, His Majesty’s Government have no desire to press this
view. I have, etc.,
