File No. 774/106–107.

Minister Rockhill to the Secretary of State.

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.,

W. W. Rockhill.
[Inclosure.—Translation.]

The Prince of Ch’ing to Minister Rockhill.

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 [Page 163] 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.]