500.C1197/754

The Ambassador in Great Britain (Bingham) to the Secretary of State

No. 823

Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Department’s instruction No. 450 of June 28, 1934, quoting a statement made in Parliament by Sir John Simon on June 7 concerning the request of the Secretary General of the League of Nations for information with regard to the traffic in opium and narcotic drugs in Manchuria and Jehol, and directing the Embassy to inquire what steps the British Government has taken or intends to take in this respect.

The matter was brought to the attention of the appropriate official of the Foreign Office, who informed a member of the Embassy staff that the British Government had not as yet answered the Secretary General’s communication and that the Foreign Office did not plan to do anything about it at present. The official added that should anything be sent later, the material would be very carefully selected so as not to cause embarrassment to British officials in that area. He stated further that with the exception of some information on the subject given out by the Manchukuo authorities, which he assumed would reach the League’s Opium Committee, nothing had been received recently by the Foreign Office.

The official also said that should the Foreign Office send anything to the League, he thought it might be done through the British representative on the Committee, but he left the Embassy with the impression [Page 360] that, awaiting developments and in the absence of any reports from British Consuls on the subject, he preferred to let the matter rest.

At the close of the conversation it was suggested to the official that should the Foreign Office take any steps with the League in this relation, the Embassy would be grateful if it might be informed.

I shall not fail to report anything I may receive from the Foreign Office.

Respectfully yours.

For the Ambassador:
Ray Atherton

Counselor of Embassy