Mr. Currie to Sir L. Mallet.

Foreign Office, August 31, 1883

Sir,

I AM directed by Earl Granville to state to you, for the information of the Earl of Kimberley, that a Treaty was signed on the 6th June last year by Vice-admiral Willes on behalf of Her Majesty’s Government with that of Corea.
Similar Treaties were negotiated, about the same time, with Corea by Germany and the United States of America. The only Treaty that has since been ratified is the American Treaty; while the ratifications of the British and German Treaties have been, by agreement between all the parties concerned, postponed to the 31st December next, in order to give time for a further examination of sundry points enumerated in them, with a view to the introduction of such amendments as may be considered desirable.
By the VIIth Article of the British Treaty, a copy of which is inclosed, the importation of opium by the subjects of either Power into the ports of the other is strictly prohibited. A similar provision exists in the German and also in the American Treaty, the ratifications of which latter Treaty were exchanged at Söul on the 19th May last.
Sir H.S. Parkes, Her Majesty’s Minister in Japan, has now sent home, for the consideration of Her Majesty’s Government, an amended draft of a Treaty. In this draft the clause affecting opium is thus worded: “The importation of opium, arms, and all munitions of war, and the exportation of red ginseng, is prohibited, except under the express authority of the Corean Government.” Sir H.S. Parkes further suggests that an exception in favour of medicinal opium should be mentioned in this clause of the proposed Treaty, as well as in the Tariff to be annexed to the Treaty, where a definition should be given as to what is intended by the term “medicinal opium.”
At the same time Sir H.S. Parkes has pointed out that the prohibition to import opium into Corea is almost in itself a recognition of the independence of that country (the sovereignty over which has hitherto been claimed by China as the Suzerain Power), inasmuch as China would claim any concession granted to a dependency.
On this point I am to observe that the King of Corea claims for his country that, while it is simply a dependency of China, its internal administration and its external intercourse are entirely and in all respects within his discretion and control as an independent King.

I am now to request that, in laying this letter before the Earl of Kimberley, you will move him to inform Lord Granville whether he sees any objection, so far as Indian interests are concerned, to the prohibition regarding the importation of opium into Corea, and the definition of “medicinal opium” proposed by Sir H.S. Parkes.
Her Majesty’s Government are in communication with that of Germany as to the proposed amendments in the Treaties already signed with Corea by the Representatives of the two countries; and as it is of consequence that a decision on the subject should be taken, in order to enable the negotiators to proceed to the spot not later than the beginning of October, I am to state that Lord Granville would be glad to learn the views of the Secretary of State for India with the least possible delay.
Copies of the Treaty signed by Admiral Willes and of the draft Treaty suggested by Sir H.S. Parkes are inclosed for Lord Kimberley's information.

I am, &c.
(Signed) P. CURRIE