2
present position by a gradual process of evolution, and China could not hope to do in a few years what it had taken centuries to accomplish in Europe.
Asked whether he thought China would succeed in carrying out her opium programme, he said he felt confident that she would. She might not carry it out exactly in the manner she proposed at present, but the end would be attained all the same.
In the reign of Tao Kuang an attempt had been made to stop the traffic, and the result was the first war with England. The action taken then was somewhat like the Boxer movement, hasty and ill-conceived. At that time it was only the Emperor and a few of his officials who were really opposed to the trade. The country at large was indifferent. Now the people were more enlightened and were at one with the Government on the question. He said that opium smoking was already on the decrease, and at the present it was calculated that some 80 per cent. of the smokers would have abandoned the babit in a year. Many people viewed with anxiety the prospect of losing such a large source of revenue. But what the Government lost in money the people would gain in well-being, and no money could compensate for the loss of human life.
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.) 469
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL
[February 23.]
SECTION
C. 0.
9970
REGE 19 MAR 07/
FRECZ
[6023]
No. 1.
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received February 23.)
(No. 14.) Sir,
Peking, January 7, 1907. WITH reference to my despatch No. 551 of the 26th ultimo, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch which I have received from Sir Pelham Warren, His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghae, inclosing a draft and a revised draft of a despatch from the Senior Consul-General at Shanghae to the dean of the Diplomatic Body to cover the draft letter to the Taotai (inclosed in Sir Pelham's despatch No. 169 of the 19th November) asking him to agree to the presence of a Consular Representative at the trial in the city of prisoners charged with serious crimes sent there from the Mixed Court.
You will see that the revised draft to the Diplomatic Body differs materially from the original and requests that the new arrangement may be embodied in the amendments to the Mixed Court Rules now under negotiation. In view of the probability that the introduction of new matter into the discussion of the amendments, already so prolonged, might occasion further delay in reaching a settlement, ray colleagues and myself have felt unable to agree to the suggestion of the Shanghae Consular Body. The importance of the question is, however, fully realized, and I have informed my colleagues that as soon as a decision had been arrived at with regard to the amendments to the Mixed Court Rules, it appeared to me that the adoption of the proposal put forward in the letter which the Consular Body proposed to send to the Taotai was one which, being evidently intended to facilitate the ends of justice, could reasonably be urged on the Wai-wn Pu, and that I would be prepared to join in any concerted action to that end.
My American colleague, who shares my views, has expressed his willingness ultimately to co-operate,
(No. 187.) Sir,
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Consul-General Sir P. Warren to Sir J. Jordan.
Shanghae, December 24, 1906. I HAVE the honour to refer to my despatch No. 169 of the 19th November respecting a proposal which has been laid before the Consular Body to address a despatch to the Taotai asking him to agree to the presence of a Consular Representa- tive at the trial in the city of prisoners charged with serious crimes sent there from the Mixed Court for trial. It will be seen from the Minutes that at the twenty- eighth Consular meeting held on the 11th instant a draft letter to the Taotai on the subject was under consideration, and it was at that time decided to submit it to the Diplomatic Boby, and the draft of a despatch to accompany it was circulated and approved. I have the honour to inclose a copy.
At the twenty-ninth meeting of the Consular Body held on the 18th December, at which I was unable to be present, the matter again came up, and after further consideration certain alterations made in the draft to the Diplomatic Body at the suggestion of the French Consul-General were announced, It was decided to circulate the altered draft for approval, and I inclose copy of it as received by me to-day.
The changes made are very material; it will be seen that the request now made to the Diplomatic Body is to have the new arrangement embodied in the Mixed Court Rules now under negotiation. Apart from my opinion expressed in despatch No. 169 to you that the request for attendance of a Consular officer at the City Magistrate's Court during hearing of transferred cases should be based upon Treaty provisions, I am well aware of the extreme difficulty of making any such important
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