Office of the Historian

File No. 774/124a.

The Acting Secretary of State to Minister Hill.

Department of State,
Washington,October 14, 1907.
No. 134.]

Sir: The Government of the United States at different times within the past twelve months has instructed its diplomatic representatives at London, Paris, Berlin, Tokyo, The Hague, and Peking to bring to the notice of the Government to which each is accredited the proposal of the United States to conduct a joint and impartial investigation of the scientific and material conditions of the opium trade and opium habit in the Far East which affect the possessions and direct interests of those Governments in that part of the world. In this connection I beg to call your attention to the department’s instruction, No. 65, January 31, 1907.

The initial inquiry made having elicited favorable responses, further instructions were then issued to the several named diplomatic representatives expressing the desire of the United States to be informed whether the governments concerned preferred to investigate the opium question by means of a conference or through a joint commission.

In their replies all the various governments accepted the proposal in principle and expressed a preference for a joint commission. In one instance the reservation was made that the inquiry cover the production of opium in China as well as its importation, while several of the governments concerned accepted the proposal only on condition of being assured of the cooperation of China. Assurances of the cooperation of China are given in her reply to this Government, while her general policy in the matter is evidenced by the fact that regulations for the gradual suppression of the production and consumption of opium in China and orders for their enforcement have been promulgated by the Chinese Government.

Upon transmitting to the Dutch minister for foreign affairs the present inclosuresa you will convey to him the expression of the sincere gratification of this Government at the acceptance in principle by the Netherlands of the joint opium commission and our appreciation of the friendly interest in the contemplated effort to suppress [Page 169] the opium evil in the Far East. You will also inquire whether or not the Dutch Government finds it convenient to suggest a place and time of meeting of the proposed commission. It is suggested that the several governments may prefer to await the selection of a place and date of meeting before proceeding to name commissioners.

I am, etc.,

Robert Bacon.

Copy sent mutatis mutandis to the embassies and legation at:

  • Paris, October 14, 1907, No. 98;
  • Tokyo, October 14, 1907, No. 16;
  • Berlin, October 14, 1907, No. 727;
  • London, October 14, 1907, No. 534;
  • Peking, October 14, 1907, No. 354.

  1. [The inclosures mentioned are the acceptances of the several governments. Not printed.]↩