CONFIDENTIAL.
RECK
43554
Pre 94 N0222
(No. 204.)
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-Received November 2, 10 P.M.
Peking, November 2, 1906, 8:40 P.M.
YOUR telegram No. 180 [Prohibition of Opium Decree].
I communicated substance of above to Wai-wu Pu to-day, and in desiring me to express their deep appreciation at sympathetic attitude of His Majesty's Government they reiterate declaration that there was no intention of discriminating against foreign opium, the sole object being to eradicate an evil which is causing the physical deterioration of the people.
The Regulations which had been drawn up, and were now undergoing final consideration, would be communicated to His Majesty's Government.
The Ministers added, quite frankly, that the task before the Chinese Government is an extremely difficult one, especially in regard to native opium, cultivation of which is so extended.
(820-187)