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BIS
From the PEKING GAZETTE of 20th September, 1906.
Imperial Decree.
(Translation).
Since the restrictions against the use of opium were removed, the poison of this drug has practically permeated the whole of China. The opium smoker wastes time and neglects work, ruins his health and impoverishes his family and the poverty and weakness which for the past few decades have been daily increasing amongst us are undoubtedly attributable to this cause. To speak of this arouses our indignation:
and at a moment when We are striving to strengthen the Empire it behoves Us to admonish the people, that all may realize the necessity of freeing themselves from these coils, and thus pass from sickness into health.
It is hereby commanded that within a period of ten years the evils arising from foreign and native opium be equally and completely eradicated. Let the Government Council (Cheng Wu Ch'u) frame such measures as may be suitable and necessary for strictly forbidding the consumption of the drug and the cultivation of the poppy;
and let them submit their proposals for Our approval.
(bang12)