File No. 774/139–141.
Chargé White to the
Secretary of State.
American Legation,
The
Hague,November 26,
1907.
No. 340.]
Sir: Referring to department’s instruction No.
134, of the 14th of October, 1907 (file No. 774), relating to the opium
trade in the Far East, and directing that inquiry be made of the
Netherlands Government whether or not it would find it convenient to
suggest a place and time of meeting of the proposed commission.
I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy of the correspondence that
has passed between this legation and the foreign office on the
subject.
It will be observed that in the reply of the minister of foreign affairs
just received, his excellency states that the Government of the Queen
has no preference as to the date or place of meeting of the commission
for the study of the question of opium in the Far East.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Minister Hill
to the Minister for Foreign
Affairs.
American Legation,
The
Hague,October 30,
1907.
No. 228.]
Sir: In pursuance of instructions from my
Government I have the honor herewith to transmit to your excellency
certain inclosures—hereinafter mentioned—being replies of the Dutch,
British, French, German, Japanese, and Chinese Governments to 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. In doing so I am further
instructed to convey to you the expression of the sincere
gratification of the Government of the United States at the
acceptance in principle by the Netherlands Government of the joint
opium commission, and of the appreciation of
[Page 171]
the friendly interest in the contemplated
effort to suppress the opium evil in the Far East, and to inquire
whether or not your excellency’s 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.
Accept, Mr. Minister, etc.,
[Inclosure
2.—Translation.]
The Minister for Foreign
Affairs to Chargé White.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Hague, November 23,
1907.
No. 22326.]
Mr. Chargé d’affaires: Replying to the note
of his excellency Mr. Hill, No. 288, I have the honor to notify you
that the Government of the Queen has no preference as to the date or
place for the reunion of the commission which shall consider the
question of opium in the Far East.
Accept, etc.,
