File No. 774/91.

Minister Rockhill to the Secretary of State.

[Telegram.—Paraphrase.]

(Mr. Rockhill states that he submitted Mr. Root’s telegram in reference to China, definitely adhering to opium commission, to the foreign office on the 21st, and supported it by note based on Mr. Root’s dispatch No. 270. Also states that after several interviews urging their acceptance, he received a note yesterday from the minister for foreign affairs stating that the Chinese Government are not aware of the methods to be followed in making the investigation, and therefore have no definite proposition they can consider or to which they can reply. Mr. Rockhill adds that he presumes the Chinese chargé d’affaires will see Mr. Root as to the matter.)