File No. 774/106–107.
Minister Rockhill
to the Secretary of State.
American Legation,
Peking,July 10,
1907.
No. 664.]
Sir: In continuation of my dispatch No. 656, of
June 29, in reference to securing China’s definite acceptance of the
proposed opium commission, I have now the honor to transmit to you
herewith copy in translation of a note received last night from the
Prince of Ch’ing in reply to mine of June 22, sent to you in my dispatch
of the 29th ultimo above mentioned.
Yesterday, while at the foreign office, I asked if a reply to my note
could be expected soon, and was told that the present one had been sent
me, and that it was to be understood as inquiring for fuller information
as to the proposed commission. I refer to this, as the terms of the note
are so guarded that this might not be realized.
I have also the honor to confirm as follows the cablegram I have to-day
sent you on this matter.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
The Prince of Ch’ing
to Minister Rockhill.
Foreign Office,
Peking,July 9,
1907.
No. 299.]
Your Excellency: I have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt of your excellency’s note dated June 22 to
the effect that in the latter part of last year the Government of
the United States had 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. Your excellency then stated that as all
the powers consulted had entertained favorably the general principle
of the suggestion made, your Government had later submitted a
definite proposal to the Governments of France, Germany, Great
Britain, Holland, and Japan inviting them to join with it in
appointing commissioners cooperatively to investigate the opium
question, including the subjects of importation and of production in
China; that all the
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Governments approached except France had already accepted this
proposal; and that although your government knew that China’s
cooperation was assured to the project, it was desirous of being
definitely informed to that effect. A telegram had therefore been
sent to you to the effect that the United States Government desired
to know definitely whether the Government of China would join in
appointing commissioners cooperatively to investigate the opium
question, including the subjects both of importation and of
production in China. Your excellency hoped that I would give this
matter my earliest attention and communicate to you the decision of
the Imperial Government that you might report it promptly to your
Government which is most desirous of instituting this important
undertaking.
In reply to this communication from your excellency I have the honor
to state that my board has considered the matter and finds that the
Chinese Government has already given orders for the suppression and
prohibition of opium, and that several imperial edicts and decrees
have been promulgated directing that this prohibition be rigorously
enforced. Your Government now proposed to unite with France,
Germany, Great Britain, Holland, and Japan in appointing
commissioners cooperatively to investigate the question, and asks
China whether or not she will join in the movement. But China is not
yet aware of the methods which will be followed in making this
investigation, and therefore has no definite proposition which she
can consider or to which she can reply.
It becomes my duty to communicate the above to your excellency for
your information.
A necessary dispatch.
[Seal of Waiwu Pu.]
