File No. 774/103–104.

Minister Rockhill to the Secretary of State .

No. 656.]

Sir: In further acknowledgment of the department’s cablegram received June 21, directing me to secure China’s definite acceptance of the proposed opium joint commission, I have the honor to inform you that on the 21st instant I called on Na Chung-t’ang at the Wai-wu Pu, and handed him a copy in translation of your cablegram.

His excellency said that the matter referred to was absolutely new to him; that he had heard nothing official concerning it, knew neither the scope of the investigation or the methods to be followed in making it. He would see Prince Ch’ing and the president of the home office (Min Ch’eng Pu) and consult with them about it.

I explained to his excellency the object of our Government, as known to me through your instruction No. 270 of March 28 last, dwelling particularly on the fact that, considering the imperial edict of September 20, 1906, and the subsequently published regulations for the suppression of the opium habit, our Government confidently expected the prompt and hearty cooperation of the Imperial Government in conducting the investigation and furthering in every way the undertaking. I urged a prompt reply to your inquiry, saying that any delay on the part of the Government in declaring its adhesion would very likely be misunderstood and would produce a most unfortunate impression, as it would certainly shake the confidence of many in the bona fides of China’s declarations of its intention to suppress the opium habit in the Empire.

On the 24th instant I sent the Wai-wu Pu a note repeating your inquiry and offering some words of explanation on the scheme.

Having heard from various sources that the Wai-wu Pu was apprehensive that the joint commission might in some way infringe China’s sovereign rights by inquiring into her financial methods or recommending to the powers measures unacceptable to her, I went to the Wai-wu Pu on the 28th and explained in detail not only the proposed joint commission as I understood it, but the workings of joint commissions generally, dwelling at great length on the fact that such commissions made recommendations to their governments, which retained perfect freedom of action. I said that I would be pleased to transmit to you by wire any inquiry I could not answer, but I begged the Wai-wu Pu to make any such inquiries promptly, repeating how unfortunate it would be for China and how painful would be the impression produced if she delayed accepting the proposed commission.

I have etc.,

W. W. Rockhill.
[Page 160]
[Inclosure.]

Minister Rockhill to the Prince of Ch’ing .

No. 269.]

Your Imperial Highness: In the latter part of last year the Government of the United States sought the views of certain of the powers having possessions and direct interests in the Far East with reference to a general and impartial investigation of the scientific and material conditions of the opium trade and the opium habit with a view to their suppression.

The powers consulted having entertained favorably the suggestion of my Government, it has submitted a definite proposal to the Governments of France, Germany, Great Britain, Holland, and Japan to join it in appointing commissioners cooperatively to investigate the opium question, including the subjects of importation and of production in China. The Governments approached have already accepted the proposal of the United States, France only excepted, and it is to be presumed that it is but a matter of time before its acceptance is received.

The imperial edict of September 20, 1906, and the regulations for the prohibition of the use of opium which received the imperial sanction on November 21, 1906, proclaim clearly and emphatically the determination of the Imperial Government to prohibit the consumption of opium and prevent the cultivation of the poppy. My Government, well aware of the imperial wish as regards this matter, has considered the cooperation of His Imperial Majesty’s Government assured to the project, but now that the proposals of my Government have assumed a concrete form, it is desirous of being definitely informed to that effect.

On the 21st inst. I received the following cablegram from the Secretary of State of the United States.a

I beg that your imperial highness will give this matter the earliest possible attention, and communicate to me the decision of His Imperial Majesty’s Government, so that I may report it promptly to my Government, which is most desirous of initiating this most important undertaking.

I avail, etc.,

W. W. Rockhill.
  1. Supra.