Correspondence respecting the opium question in China.

Date:
[1908]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Correspondence respecting the opium question in China. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    17/58 (page 11)
    al extended to the production of opium in China’ as well as to the import of iat, opium. Since then the United States has received a similar favourable response from the Government of Japan; the co-operation of China seems also assured by the Imperial Rescript of the 21st November, 1906. The United States is now inquiring from France, Germany, and the Netherlands whether they: would be willing to join in a Conference on the opium question, or whether, if deemed more convenient and practical, they would be prepared to name Commissioners, who would concert with like Commissioners of the other Powers named, to investigate the subject. In the latter case either a joint recommendation of the Powers would be expected, or, in case of divergence of opinions, a statement to each Government for its consideration, with a view “ultimately to united action or to coincident action by each Government in its own sphere. The United States would be glad to learn which of the two couises bus suggested would seem to His Majesty’ s Government the more convenient and acceptable. Kebruary 11, 1907. er Sir Edward Grey to Mr. Carter. Sir, Foreign Office, Warch 14, 1907. I HAVE the honour to inform you that His Majesty’s Government have considered the Memorandum communicated to me on the Lith ultimo, inquiring whether His Majesty’s Government would prefer to join in an International Conference on the question of the production of opium in China, as well as of the import of foreign opium into that country, or to name Commissioners who would investigate the subject in concert with the Commissioners of certain other Powers. I have the honour to say, in reply, that, in the opinion of His Majesty’s Govern- ment, procedure by way of Commission would seem better adapted than a Conference for an investigation of the facts of the opium trade, and of the consequences of the opium habit, in the Far East. It is understood from the conversation which I had the honour of holding with Mr. Whitelaw Reid on the 17th October, 1906, that it was the wish of the Government of the United States that the facts should be carefully investigated in the. Far East by a Commission, preliminary to any action which might ‘be taken by the Powers jointly or severally. It is conceivable that a Conference, if convened, might find that the materials placed before it were insufficient for arriving at definite recommendations. If, however, the other Powers consulted prefer procedure by way of a Conference, His Majesty’s Government have no desire to press this view. I have, &e. (Signed) KE. GREY. No. 10. Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—( Received March 23.) Sir, Peking, February 6, 1907. I HAVE the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch which I have received from Mr. Tours, Acting British Consul at Chinkiang, inquiring what attitude he should assume towards opium shops existing within the British Con- cession. I also have the honour to inclose copy of a despatch which I have addressed to ‘Mr. Tours in reply. In the British Concessions at Tien-tsin and Canton there are no opium dens, and I am making inquiries as to how far they exist at other ports. It - would, in my opinion, be desirable that the Municipal Councils of all British Conces- ‘sions should be moved to close any opium shops or dens that may exist in them, even before His Majesty’s Consuls are approached on the subject by the Chinese authorities ; but, pending the receipt of instructions from you on the whole question of the assistance to be given to the Chinese Government in their endeavours to suppress the opium habit, I have thought it better in my despatch to Mr. Tours to confine myself to (271) C2