22nd FEBRUARY 1909

THE CoMMISSION assembled at 10.3o a.m.

The Chair announced with regret that Signor FARAONE, the Delegate representing Italy, was ill, and linable to attend. He also expressed his regret in that the name of the Secretary of the Persian Delegation, Mr. B. A. SOMEKH, had been omitted from the official list of representatives, but the Secretary of the Commission would take steps to ha\ e this mistake rectified.

The Chief Commissioner for the Netherlands presented to the House the information which Ile had received by telegraph concerning opium in Holland (vide Netherlands Repoit : Vol. 'I).

The British and Japanese Delegations read replies to questions received from the American and British Delegations respectively. Mr. PANG KUO-AN, for the Chinese Delega-tion, also replied to three que,stions put during the sixth Session by, the British and French Delegations. .k reply to some questions submitted by the American Delegation was made by the Persian Delegate and the Chinese Delegation asked the British Delegation for certain statistics relative to the number of opium smokers in Hongkong- and the Straits Settlements (for questions and answers, vide V ol. 11: Reports).

Mr. PANG Kuo-AN stated, that with reference to the last of his questions, his Delegation \ ished to take that opportunity of expressing their appreciation of the measures taken recently by the Hongkong authorities against the smug-gling of opium into China, which, according to the Commissioner of Customs at Kowloon, had of late years greatly diminished.

Two questions were then handed to the French Delegation by Mr. PANG with reference to the quantity of opium imported into Kwangchowan.

The Right Hon. Sir CECIL CLEMENTI SMITH expressed his obligations to Mr. TANG for his remarks regarding the action of the Hongkong authorities. According to information in his possession the Hongkong Government Ivas aware of all that happened to the opium which entered that port, and was quite satisfied that at the present time there was no smuggling from Hongkong into Chinese territory,.

The printed reports for Portugal and for the United States were distributed, and the Chair announced that both these reports were before the House for consideration.

The Chief Commissioner for France asked that if there were any further questions to be put to him concerning the French Report they might be presented soon.

Dr. HAMILTON WRIGHT, having put a question to the British Delegation as to the amount of opium prepared for smoking shipped from Hongkong and the Straits Settlements to the Philippines, the Chair asked if any of the Committees were ready to submit Reports to the Commission.

Dr. TENNEV, on behalf of the Committee appointed to consider Treaties and International Agreements covering the traffic in opium, stated that a printed report could not be laid on the table that day, but that he would read the report. He also stated that the Committee had taken the liberty of adding to its name the words " and its derivatives."

After the report had been read, the Right Hon. Sir CECIL CLEMENTI SMITH expressed the opinion that neither he nor his colleagues ever contemplated that the Committee would extract portions of certain Treaties and Agreements, and give an interpretation as to the exact meaning of those extracts. He for one would certainly not be bold enough to do anything of the kind, and he considered it an extremely dangerous proceeding to adopt, these matters being generally left to be interpreted and explained by the Governments concerned.
It was finally decided to allow the Report to stand over until the various Delegations had had sufficient time to study it.

There being no further questions asked on the Reports in hand, the President addressed the House as follows:—

" In accordance with the statement of the Chair at the last Session, the prime object of this Commission has now been reached, and resolutions will naturally be in order. With the indulgence of the House, before proceeding to this business, the Chair would like to draw attention to certain principles and considerations of importance relative to our findings. It would appear expedient to quote what met with the approval of the House at the outset of our proceedings,—a passage frotn the Report of the Second Inter-national Peace Conference relative to such Commissions and Conferences as the one we are now engaged in :—

" In the discussions upon every question it is important to remember that the object of the Conference is Agreement, and not compulsion. If such Conferences are to be made occasions for trying to force nations into positions which they consider against their interests, the Powers cannot be expected to send representatives to them. It is important also that the agreements reached shall be genuine and not reluctant. Otherwise they will inevitably fail to receive approval when submitted for the ratification of the Powers represented. Comparison of views and frank and considerate explanation and discussion may frequently resolve doubts, obviate difficulties, and lead to real agreement upon matters which at the outset have appeared insurmountable. It is not wise, however, to carry this process to the point of irritation. After reasonable discussion, if no agreement is reached, it is better to lay the subject aside, or refer it to some future Conference in the hope that intermediate consideration may dispose of the objections. Upon some questions where an agreement by only a part of the Powers represented would in itself be useful, such an agreement may be made, but it should always be with the most unreserved recognition that the other Powers withhold their concurrence with equal propriety and right."

" I feel sure that this pacagraph which I have a.ga.in presented to the House, represents the mind of this entire assembly,.

" Further, with your indulgence, may I say that we are at a most critical moment. The C.:hair himself feels weighted with responsibility, a double responsibility, a responsibility that is personal, and a responsibility, on behalf of this entire House, of which he is a most unworthy leader, but nevertheless a leader most eager to fulfil the functions of his office. The results of this Commission are bound to be far-reaching, and of a two-fold character—direct and indirect. They will take shape eventually in some kind of formal action on the part of the various Governments represented, partly of a legislative and partly. of a practical character that could not perhaps be justly called legislative ; then, too, the results of our findings are going to be productive of sentiment, and am I not right in thinking that sentiment still rules the world ? As in the past, so in the future, and in the present, sentiment is bound to be the final arbiter in all great questions, and no legislative or practical action can avail unless public opinion, rightly informed, acts spontaneously', strongly and naturally, in the direction of formal, enacted law. So it is of two-fold importance that what we succeed in agreeing upon should be of a strong character, practical, and—I shall not say, with a sentimental side to it, but—with a side which vvill tend to create wholesome sentiment where-ever our findings may, reach. The world, I think I am not mistaken, is looking for something definitive from this Commission, though when I say definitive I do not for a moment mean final. We are only. striving to take a great problem one step forward in the course of development and progress. I think that all of us would agree that our resolutions should represent the high-water mark, up to date, on this question,—and we all represent sovereign states —so that we must demean ourselves royally. With the recollection that our responsibility- is ultimately not merely to our individual nations, but to the whole family of nations and to posterity, it would seem to the Chair,--and I speak now entirely in my Official position, and dispassionately?, from the evidence before me,—it would seem that the material in hand is quite sufficient to enable us to reach valuable conclusions.

" It is of vital importance, as the paragraph which I have read to N'OU states, that our findings should reach common g-round as far as possible, but in all probability in reaching that common ground we will have to traverse disputed territory. Whatever dispUted territory may, be traversed, we will move with profound respect for the convictions of those who differ from us, and in the presentation of conclusions that may not be g-enerally acceptable we will observe the fullest courtesy. Am I not right in saying that friends can afford to be frank to orle another and that it is the privilege of friendship to differ without the bonds of friendship being severed ? That is true in the realm of social life in any given nationality, and I venture to think that the day has dawned when, in the family, of nations, it is equally true.

" There are two thing-s at stake in the findings of this Commission. In the first place the whole principle of international study, of disputed questions is involved. We have reached a day in the history of nations when splendid magnanimity is shown by this or that nation, which may have the full conviction that its present position is right on a given question, but which is ready to call in neighbouring nations to consider it conjointly'', if the matter is in dispute. It is the desire of all mankind to promote such movements as will tend to the greatest amity between nation and nation. The principle of Commissions is still young, and it is for us to advance that principle in the public estimation, or to depreciate it. Furthermore, in dealing with the question immediately before us, we have to consider that if we fail in worthy and practical resolutions, we shall do that which all of us would lament should the calamity happen, throw back this whole question into the hands of agitators and extremists. The result would be to confuse and befog the public mind, depriving it of that sentiment which, as I have said, is going to be one of the greatest factors not only in the solution of this question but of all great questions.

" I feel that I have said enoug,h. You share my sense of responsibility and together I believe we shall worthily fulfil our duty.

" Permit me to thank the House at this juncture for the fine temper and the courteous spirit which has characterised it from the beginning, and the Chair ventures to hope that this temper will not desert us at the critical stage, but that to the end we shall prove ourselves to be friendly representatives of a Royal family of nations.

It is for the House to decide how the various resolutions will be presented. The Chair would suggest,—though with some diffidence, the reasons for which are obvious,—that we follow the procedure which we have observed in all business brought before the House. Should this method be agreeable the resolutions will be presented by the different Delega-tions in their alphabetical order, the various movers presenting their resolutions with such comments as mav be desirable. Discussions will take place when all the resolutions are in."
It was decided that all resolutions should be presented by the different Delegations in alphabetical order, and that no time limit should be fixed for receiving resolutions.

The House adjourned at 12.30 p.m. until ro.3o a.m. on 23rd February.