File No. 774/709.

The Acting Secretary of State to Ambassador O’Brien.

No. 416.]

Sir: The department acknowledges the receipt of your dispatch No. 1057, of February 22, 1910, in which you inclose a copy of a note from the minister for foreign affairs, dated February 21, 1910, in reply to this Government’s circular in vitiation of September 1, 1909, wherein he states that the Imperial Government have no objection in principle to the holding of an international opium conference and sending delegates thereto; but that as many of the points raised in the tentative [Page 305] program, suggested by this Government are under the control of several Government departments and call for most careful consideration, the Imperial Government have not only been unable to present a reply by the date proposed in the conference letter, but will require still further time.

You will inform the minister for foreign affairs that this Government highly appreciates the acceptance in principle of an international opium conference by the Imperial Government, and that, with a full knowledge of the historical position of the Imperial Government toward the opium traffic in the Far East, this Government is grateful for the proffered assistance of the Imperial Government in the formulation of a definite program for the forthcoming conference.

You will also inform the minister for foreign affairs that the following Governments have accepted this Government’s invitation to the conference: China, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Persia, Russia, and Siam; that the Netherlands Government has expressed a desire that the conference be held at The Hague; and that when this Government notifies it as to the adhering powers, the Government of the Queen will issue the necessary invitations. It is expected that favorable replies will be received in a short time from Austria-Hungary, France, and Turkey. The British Government has tacitly accepted the conference and has informed this Government that the foreign office is now in consultation with the India office in regard to the tentative program proposed by this Government.

I am, etc.,

Huntington Wilson.