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Article IX. To strictly forbid the smoking
of opium by officials in order that an example may
be set for others to follow.
The complete prohibition in ten years of the
use of opium applies to the general population.
But the officials must set an example to the people.
If they have such a vice how can it be expected that
they shall lead the people straight?
Now, it is desired to make this measure effec-
tive, and with this end in view it is absolutely ne-
cessary to start with the officials and make the
time limit for them more severe and the penalties
for non-compliance more heavy, so that as grass bends
to the wind, the people may comply with their exam-
ple.
From henceforth, all metropolitan or provincial
civil or military officials of high or low grade who
are over sixty years of age and who are so strongly
addicted to the opium habit that they cannot break
it off, will be put out of consideration, as if they
were
were of the common people, and treated leniently.
All Princes, Dukes and other hereditary Nobles,
Presidents and Ministers of Boards and Metropolitan
Yamens, Tartar-Generals, Governors-General and Gover-
nors, Military Lieutenant Governors, Deputy Lieuten-
ant Governors, Provincial Commanders-in-Chief and
Brigade Generals holding substantive appointments are
the recipients of the Imperial favour to no small de-
gree and of exalted rank and standing. No deception
or pretence on their part must be permitted in this
matter. Any of these who have been in the habit of
smoking shall be permitted to memorialize the Throne
direct, praying for a limit of time to be fixed for
them within which to give it up. During such period
they will for the time being not be removed from of-
fice, but a substitute will be appointed to act for
When they can show that they have given up the
habit they will be allowed to resume office; but it
must be clearly understood that no excuse of illness
will be entertained as necessitating the further use
them.
of the drug beyond the appointed time.
All other
metropolitan