File No. 893.114/176
The Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page) to the Secretary of State
2246. Your 1347, September 13, 3 p.m. The Foreign Office expresses appreciation of the action which you propose to take at Peking regarding the opium trade. Instructions have been sent to [Page 213] Sir John Jordan to protest strongly to the Chinese Government against the recent transaction with the opium combine at Shanghai, basing his representations on grounds different from those you have instructed the Chargé d’Affaires at Peking to make, though essentially of the same character. Mr. Balfour adds that the British Minister at Peking will be materially assisted by the suggested cooperation of our representative.