File No. 511.4A/794.
The Acting Secretary of State to Ambassador Reid.
Washington, September 24, 1910.
Sir: The department acknowledges the receipt of your cable No. 691, September 19, 8 p.m., which is as follows:
Note received from foreign office last night agreeing to opium conference, on condition that the several powers participating shall have first made the necessary preliminary studies as to trade conditions and manufacture of morphine and cocaine in their respective countries, and are prepared to impose severe restrictions on manufacture [Page 314] and trade. Thinks you should first ascertain whether they will do this and how much time they will require, before you can fix the date, otherwise conference would be premature.
They are not prepared to discuss items numbered H, L, M and N of tentative program in your circular letter; and in particular would exclude their arrangement with China about progressive restriction opium and opium production, as well as other existing treaties between the two countries. Also object to use of word “uniform” in item A of program, as opposed to express finding of Shanghai commission.
Assure you that with reservations on these points they will be glad to cooperate in conference.
Text of note first by pouch.
You will inform Sir Edward Grey that this Government is highly gratified at the acceptance by the British Government of our proposal for an international opium conference to be held at The Hague.
To avoid unnecessary delay in the meeting of the conference the Netherlands and other Governments will immediately be informed of the British Government’s proposal that before the meeting of the conference there shall have first been made the necessary preliminary studies as to the trade conditions and manufacture of morphine and cocaine in the interested countries, and their preparedness to impose severe restrictions on such manufacture and trade.
The question of restricting the manufacture, sale, and distribution of morphine was thoroughly discussed in the Shanghai commission, and the delegates thereto united in urging upon their Governments that it is highly important that drastic measures should be taken to control the manufacture, sale, and use of this derivative of opium and such other derivatives of the drug as may appear on scientific inquiry to be liable to similar abuse and productive of like ill effects. This conclusion was embodied in resolution 5 of the Shanghai commission, which, prepared by the British delegation, is as follows:
That the International Opium Commission finds that the unrestricted manufacture, sale, and distribution of morphine already constitute a grave danger, and that the morphine habit shows signs of spreading; the International Opium Commission, therefore, desires to urge strongly on all Governments that it is highly important that drastic measures should be taken by each Government in its own territories and possessions to control the manufacture, sale, and distribution of this drug, and also of such other derivatives of opium as may appear on scientific inquiry to be liable to similar abuse and productive of like ill effects.
The question of manufacture, sale, and distribution of cocaine was not officially considered by the Shanghai commission, but there were many informal discussions which tended to show that the abuse of this drug had begun to make headway in the Far East as well as in the United States and Canada. Therefore it seems to this Government that resolution 5 indicates a willingness on the part of the interested Governments to include cocaine in the category of menacing drugs, and that a cordial cooperation of the powers may be secured to place it under the same drastic restrictions that are needed in the case of morphine.
The abuse of cocaine is widespread in the United States, and this Government is highly pleased that the British Government should have taken the initiative in proposing that the question be brought to the attention of the Governments which are to participate in the opium conference.
You will point out to Sir Edward Grey that the United States has already completed its examination of the morphine and cocaine questions, reports on these subjects being contained in the general opium report sent to you under date of August 3, last, a copy of [Page 315] which was to have been transmitted to the British Government. You will also state that in conformity with the ascertained conditions in the United States and its possessions, legislation has been drafted which it is hoped when enacted by Congress will bring under effective control both the foreign and domestic traffic in these drugs.
You will further inform Sir Edward Grey that note is made of the British Government’s reservations in regard to items numbered H, L, M, and N of the tentative program in our circular letter proposing the conference; that especially they would exclude from discussion their arrangements with China in regard to the 10-year agreement for the progressive restriction of opium and opium production, as well as other existing treaties between the two countries. No disposition exists on the part of the United States to discuss in conference agreements particular to Great Britain and China. This Government also agrees in the objection to the use of the word “uniform” in Item A of the tentative program. Item A should more properly have read “the advisability of more ‘effective’ national laws, regulations,” etc.
For the information of the British Government you are informed that all of the Governments represented in the International Opium Commission have now accepted this Government’s proposal for an international opium conference, except Austria-Hungary, that Government having declined our proposal owing to its slight material interest in the opium traffic and its lack of possessions in the Far East. Turkey, which was invited to the International Opium Commission, but declined owing to its having no representative in China, has under consideration this Government’s proposal for an international opium conference, the latest advice from Constantinople being to the effect that the Turkish Government is studying the commercial aspects of the opium problem, and will in a short time indicate its attitude toward the conference.
Proposals and reservations have been made by several powers, while others have agreed to accept as bases for discussion in the conference the tentative program in our circular letter proposing the latter. The views of Japan, Germany, and France have been promised, and are shortly expected. As soon as all reservations and proposals have been received it is the intention of the department to have them collated, printed, and ready for circulation on the meeting of the conference. It is thought that this plan will be conducive to a more businesslike conduct of the conference. It has, however, been explained to the various Governments that it is merely a matter of convenience whether they shall now communicate to this Government their full proposals and reservations, or express them at the conference, which will itself draw up the final program.
I am, etc.,