500.C1197/760b
The Secretary of State to
the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)21
No. 565
Washington, August 8, 1934.
The Secretary of State refers to the Department’s instruction No. 466, of
February 26, 1934,22 and
encloses herewith, for the information of the American Embassy at Tokyo,
a copy of League document No. O.C. 1565, which is the reply of the
Japanese Government to Circular Letter No. C.L.30.1934.XL, in regard to
the recommendations of the Council of the League of Nations in respect
of supervision of the traffic in narcotic drugs to Manchuria and Jehol.
A copy is also enclosed of letter No. 30(e).1934.XI., dated March 19, 1934, from the Secretary General of
the League of Nations to the Minister of Foreign Affairs at Tokyo.
[Enclosure 1]
Translation of Letter From the Japanese Consul
General at Geneva (Yokoyama) to the
Secretary General of the League of Nations (Avenol)
Sir: In reply to your circular letter
(C.L.30(e).1934.XI) of March 19th last
concerning the control of the trade in opium and other dangerous
drugs with Manchukuo, I am instructed by my Government to inform you
that all applications for the export of substances covered by the
Conventions are examined very carefully and that my Government will
pursue the same policy as regards the trade in opium and other
dangerous drugs with Manchukuo.
With reference to the application of the Hague Convention to the
territory of Manchukuo, the Japanese Government wishes to point out
that, having recognised Manchukuo as an independent State, it cannot
agree with the views expressed by the Council in the circular letter
mentioned above, namely, that exports of opium to the territory in
question cannot be authorised. My Government is of opinion that
permits to export the above-named substances to Manchukuo are valid
and legal if they are issued in accordance with the provisions of
the International Conventions governing the matter.
I have [etc.]
[Page 366]
[Enclosure 2]
The Secretary General of the League of
Nations (Avenol) to the Japanese
Minister for Foreign Affairs (Hirota)
Your Excellency: On January 20th, 1934, the
Council of the League of Nations considered certain suggestions made
by the Advisory Committee on Traffic in Opium and Other Dangerous
Drugs at its seventeenth session (October 30th–November 9th, 1933)
in regard to the control of the opium and drug traffic with
Manchuria and Jehol, territory also known as “Manchukuo”. In
accordance with the suggestions of the Advisory Committee, the
Council instructed the Secretary-General to draw the attention of
the chief producing and manufacturing countries to the necessity of
supervising most strictly any application for the introduction of
narcotics into this territory. The Council further pointed out that
it is understood, in accordance with Articles 3, 8 and 15 of the
Hague Convention of 1912, that exports of opium (raw and prepared)
to the territory in question cannot be authorised.
I have the honour, therefore, in accordance with the instructions of
the Council, to draw the attention of your Government to this matter
and would refer you to the report to the Council on the work of the
seventeenth session of the Opium Advisory Committee (document
C.642.M305.1933.XI) and the Minutes of the Council’s meeting on
January 20th, 1934, copies of which have already been communicated
to your Government.
I have [etc.]
For the Secretary-General:
[Signature not indicated]
Director of the Opium Traffic and Social Questions
Sections
