File No. 774/699.
The Secretary of State to Chargé Fletcher.
Washington , March 9, 1910 .
Sir: The department acknowledges your dispatch No. 1338, of the 10th of January, reporting your compliance with the department’s circular instructions dated September 1, 1909, entitled “International Opium Conference,” with which you transmit a copy in translation of the reply thereto of the Chinese Government.
You will express to the Wai-wu Pu the high appreciation of this Government that China gives her cordial assent to the proposal to convene an international opium conference to make operative the recommendations agreed upon by the opium commission at Shanghai. Further, you will inform the Wai-wu Pu that the reservations of the Chinese Government in regard to items (a), (i), (l), and (n) of the tentative program of the proposed conference will receive the careful consideration of this Government.
This Government notes in regard to item (a)—
the advisability of uniform national laws and regulations to control the production, manufacture, and distribution of opium, its derivatives and preparations—
that it is the view of the Chinese Government that in drawing up such regulations there shall be no interference with the sovereign rights of any nation.
In regard to item (i)—
the advisability of uniform provisions of penal laws concerning offenses against any agreements that the powers make in regard to opium production and traffic—
that it is the view of the Chinese Government that this should be altered to the effect that such offenses should be punishable by each country according to its own penal laws.
In regard to item (l)—
the advisability of reciprocal right of search of vessels suspected of carrying contraband opium—
that the Chinese Government is of the opinion that this should be altered to the effect that every nation should have the right of search of vessels found within its own territorial waters.
In regard to item (n)—
the advisability of an international commission to be intrusted with the carrying out of any international agreements concluded—
that it is the view of the Chinese Government that after any agreements have been reached by the conference, the powers having assented will be under obligation to conform to them; that therefore there will be no need of such a commission as proposed.
[Page 304]In drafting the definitive program of the conference for submission to the interested powers, preliminary to the formal opening of the conference, the greatest consideration will be given to the modifications suggested by the Wai-wu Pu.
You will further inform the Wai-wu Pu that Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Russia have already accepted this Government’s proposals for an international opium conference; that the Netherlands Government has requested that the conference be held at The Hague; and that when it is notified by this Government as to the adhering powers the Government of the Queen will issue the necessary invitations to the conference.
I am, etc.,